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

Klassen recently won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, receiving the life-changing news one morning quite by surprise (highly recommend listening to the phone call between Klassen and the entire jury). — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

Minimalist fiction is characterized by direct, highly compressed, densely allusive language. — Anna Mebel, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2026

What Planks Can Do For You Planks are a highly effective way to strengthen your core, Evan Williams, CSCS, strength and conditioning coach for the Milwaukee Bucks, told HEALTH. — Christa Sgobba, HEALTH, 17 Sep. 2026

The highly unusual plan prompted an immediate response from California, the most populous state, which held a successful referendum to tilt its map toward Democrats. — Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 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