Highlight Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Published on September 13, 2025
Highlight refers to emphasizing or making something stand out as being particularly important or noteworthy. e.g., The report will highlight the key findings from the study.

Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Highlight Definitions
To mark or emphasize text using a distinctive color.
She used a yellow marker to highlight the important parts of her notes.
To make or consider as the most interesting or memorable part.
The concert's highlight was the surprise guest performance.
To illuminate or light up something.
The new street lamps highlight the city's historic buildings at night.
To emphasize or make more visible or prominent.
The teacher asked the students to highlight the thesis statement in their essays.
To summarize the main points or features of something.
The presentation will highlight the project's goals and achievements.
ADVERTISEMENT
To detail or show off something's best features.
The brochure highlights the hotel's amenities and services.
To cause to be more noticeable or important.
The debate highlighted the need for more comprehensive policies.
To select or specify as an object of special attention.
The author highlighted several key issues in his book.
An area or a spot in a drawing, painting, or photograph that is strongly illuminated.
An especially significant or interesting detail or event.
Highlights Strands of hair that have been lightened, as by bleaching or coloring.
To give a highlight to (the subject of a painting, for example).
To make prominent; emphasize
The article highlighted the painstaking work of the detectives.
To be a highlight of
The duet highlighted the concert.
To mark (important passages of text) with a usually fluorescent marker as a means of memory retention or for later reference.
To lighten (strands of hair), as by bleaching or coloring.
An area or a spot in a drawing, painting, or photograph that is strongly illuminated.
(figurative) An especially significant or interesting detail or event or period of time.
Meeting my future wife was the highlight of my trip to Spain.
We'll be broadcasting the news highlights every half an hour.
(cosmetology) A strand or spot of hair dyed a different color than the rest.
(transitive) To make prominent; emphasize.
(transitive) To be a highlight of.
(transitive) To mark (important passages of text), e.g. with a fluorescent marker pen or in a wordprocessor, as a means of memory retention or for later reference.
(transitive) To dye (part of the hair) a different color than the rest.
To seek the attention of (a user) on IRC by mentioning their name in a message, causing that message to appear highlighted on their screen.
To emphasize or call attention to, by moving into the foreground or otherwise making more prominent.
To make (part of a text or image) more prominent, especially by making it of a lighter hue or of a different color than the remaining part.
The part of an image that has the most intense light.
The most memorable or enjoyable part; - of events or activities; as, the highlight of our trip was the tour of the Vatican.
The most interesting or memorable part;
The highlight of the tour was our visit to the Vatican
An area of lightness in a picture
Move into the foreground to make more visible or prominent;
The introduction highlighted the speaker's distinguished career in linguistics
To bring attention to or spotlight something significant.
The documentary aims to highlight the challenges faced by refugees.
To accentuate or enhance certain features, often in beauty or photography.
The makeup artist used shimmer to highlight her cheekbones.
Highlight Snonyms
Spotlight
To focus attention on a particular person or thing.
The campaign spotlights the dangers of distracted driving.
Feature
To present as a special or significant part of something.
The gallery features works from local artists.
Illuminate
To light up, making something clear and visible.
The exhibition is designed to illuminate the achievements of the pioneers.
Stress
To give particular emphasis or importance to something.
She stressed the need for early detection in her health talk.
Point out
To direct attention to something or someone.
He pointed out the discrepancies in the data.
Emphasize
To give special importance or prominence to something.
The speaker emphasized the importance of unity.
Underline
To emphasize by drawing a line beneath.
The report underlines the need for immediate action.
Accent
To emphasize a particular feature.
The chef used spices to accent the natural flavors of the food.
Accentuate
To make more noticeable or prominent.
The dress accentuates her figure beautifully.
Showcase
To display or exhibit, especially in a way that attracts attention.
The museum showcases artifacts from ancient Egypt.
Highlight Idioms & Phrases
Highlight of the day
The most memorable or significant part of the day.
Meeting her favorite author was the highlight of her day.
Highlight reel
A collection of the best or most memorable moments.
The sports channel showed a highlight reel of the season's best plays.
Highlight Example Sentences
The teacher used a red pen to highlight the errors in the essay.
The festival's highlight was the live music performances.
The campaign aims to highlight the importance of mental health awareness.
Common Curiosities
How is "highlight" used in a sentence?
"Highlight" is often used to describe emphasizing or making something stand out for its importance or interest. e.g., The teacher used a yellow marker to highlight the key points in the text.
Why is it called "highlight"?
Highlight refers to making something prominent or drawing attention to it because it stands out against its surroundings, often as if it were illuminated.
How many syllables are in "highlight"?
There are two syllables in "highlight."
What is the first form of "highlight"?
The first form of "highlight" is "highlight," as in its base form.
What part of speech is "highlight"?
"Highlight" can be a noun, referring to an outstanding part or event, or a verb, meaning to emphasize or make prominent.
What is the verb form of "highlight"?
The verb form of "highlight" is "highlight," as in to emphasize or make prominent.
What is the root word of "highlight"?
The root words of "highlight" are "high," meaning elevated or of great importance, and "light," used here metaphorically to imply illumination or focus.
What is the third form of "highlight"?
The third form of "highlight" is also "highlighted," used for both the past participle and simple past tense.
What is another term for "highlight"?
Another term for "highlight" is "feature."
What is a stressed syllable in "highlight"?
The first syllable, "high," is the stressed syllable in "highlight."
How do we divide "highlight" into syllables?
"Highlight" is divided into syllables as "high-light."
What is the plural form of "highlight"?
The plural form is "highlights."
Is "highlight" a countable noun?
Yes, "highlight" is a countable noun. You can have one or multiple highlights.
Is the "highlight" term a metaphor?
"Highlight" can be used metaphorically when it refers to emphasizing aspects that are not physically illuminated.
Is the word "highlight" a Gerund?
No, "highlight" is not a gerund; its "-ing" form would be "highlighting."
What is the pronunciation of "highlight"?
"Highlight" is pronounced as /ˈhaɪlaɪt/.
What is the second form of "highlight"?
The second form of "highlight" is "highlighted," indicating past action or state.
What is the singular form of "highlight"?
The singular form is "highlight."
What is the opposite of "highlight"?
The opposite of "highlight" could be "downplay" or "obscure."
Is "highlight" an adverb?
No, "highlight" is not an adverb.
Is "highlight" an abstract noun?
When used as a noun, "highlight" can be considered somewhat abstract, as it refers to the concept of making something stand out rather than a physical object.
Is "highlight" a noun or adjective?
"Highlight" can be a noun and also used as a verb, but it is not typically used as an adjective.
Which conjunction is used with "highlight"?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used with "highlight," depending on the context of the sentence.
Is "highlight" a negative or positive word?
"Highlight" is generally a positive word, as it often refers to emphasizing something of interest or importance.
Is "highlight" a collective noun?
No, "highlight" is not typically used as a collective noun.
Which determiner is used with "highlight"?
Determiners like "the," "a," "this," "these," "my," etc., can be used with "highlight," depending on the context.
Which article is used with "highlight"?
Both the definite article "the" and the indefinite article "a" can be used with "highlight," depending on whether the highlight is specific or general.
Is "highlight" a vowel or consonant?
"Highlight" begins with a consonant sound.
Is the word "highlight" imperative?
"Highlight" can be used in the imperative mood when giving a command or instruction, e.g., "Highlight the important sections."
Is the word “highlight” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Highlight" can be a direct object in a sentence, as in "The editor will highlight the errors."
Which vowel is used before "highlight"?
The vowel used before "highlight" depends on the context, but it is often preceded by the vowel sound "a" as in "a highlight."
Which preposition is used with "highlight"?
The preposition "of" is commonly used with "highlight," as in "highlight of the event."
Share Your Discovery

Previous Term
Seeing Definition and Meaning
Next Term
Individual Definition and MeaningAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat























