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

Understanding molecular mechanisms is highly important for science and technology. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026

But no matter your highly understandable reason for not having airplane mode on your to-do list, your failure to attend to your phone before sailaway can cost you. —Erica Silverstein, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026

In years past, trafficking in this inside information was highly lucrative because a number of sportsbooks would take sizable bets. —David Hill, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2026

The top seller is 20 percent off in honor of Presidents’ Day, alongside no shortage of other Coop favorites like maternity pillows, cooling pillowcases, hotel-quality sheet sets, and highly breathable duvet covers for all seasons. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 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