highly

adverb

high·​ly ˈhī-lē 

1

: in or to a high place, level, or rank

2

: in or to a high degree or amount

3

: with approval : favorably

Synonyms of highly

• extremely
• very
• incredibly
• terribly
• too
• so
• badly
• severely
• really
• damn
• damned
• intensely
• heavily
• seriously
• most

Examples of highly in a Sentence

She is one of the most highly respected journalists in the country.

though she didn't win, she was highly satisfied with her personal results for the marathon

Recent Examples on the Web

Bronx Science is one of the highly competitive specialized New York City public high schools where access to a free, élite education rests on a single admissions test. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026

The highly anticipated, buzzy Sephora sale is when makeup lovers, skin care enthusiasts and beyond can shop major discounts across all brands. —ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

Over more than four years of Russia’s invasion and highly technological drone warfare, Kyiv has built considerable expertise in countering Shahed drones in particular, which Russia uses regularly on Ukrainian territory. —Nbc News, NBC news, 10 Apr. 2026

As summer arrives, salvia — especially red varieties — delivers long blooming periods and is highly attractive to hummingbirds. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing highly

• highly strung
• highly superior autobiographical memory

Rhymes for highly

• dryly
• kiley
• shyly
• slyly
• smiley
• wily
• wryly

Kids Definition

highly

adverb

high·​ly ˈhī-lē 

1

: very entry 2 sense 1, extremely

highly pleased

2

: with approval

speaks highly of you