HIGHLIGHT

Definition of HIGHLIGHT

HIGHLIGHT Noun and Verb

Highlight is both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to something that stands out as particularly important, exciting, or memorable. As a verb, it means to emphasize, draw attention to, or make something more noticeable or prominent.

HIGHLIGHT as a noun

Notable or Memorable Moment: At its core, a highlight refers to the most notable or exciting part of an event, experience, or activity. For example, “The highlight of the concert” refers to the most memorable or impressive performance during the event. Highlight can also describe a key feature that stands out in a report, film, or conversation.

Visual Emphasis: In visual contexts, a highlight refers to the brightest or lightest part of an image or object, where light naturally falls. In art or photography, highlights are used to create contrast and dimension by emphasizing areas of brightness.

Best Features or Aspects: Highlight can also refer to the best features or aspects of a person or thing. For instance, “the highlights of her career” refers to the most significant achievements or moments that stand out. Similarly, highlights in hair styling refer to strands of hair that are dyed a lighter color to create contrast and dimension.

HIGHTLIGHT as a verb

Emphasizing or Drawing Attention: As a verb, highlight means to emphasize or draw attention to something important or significant. For example, “She highlighted the key points in the presentation” means she emphasized or pointed out the most important information. Highlighting helps to ensure that certain details or aspects are noticed and remembered.

Marking for Emphasis: In written or printed texts, highlight also refers to marking sections to make them stand out visually. For instance, “highlighting important sections in yellow” means using a color or marker to draw attention to specific parts of a document or book. This visual emphasis helps to organize information and make key points easy to find.

Illuminating or Enhancing: Highlight can also mean to illuminate or enhance the appearance of something, particularly in beauty and fashion. For example, “highlighting her cheekbones” refers to applying makeup to make certain facial features stand out or appear more prominent.

Descriptive Use in Compounds: Highlight is sometimes used in compound forms to describe tools or actions associated with emphasizing or illuminating something, such as a “highlighting pen” or “highlighted section.” These compounds indicate the function or purpose related to drawing attention or making something stand out.

In conclusion, highlight serves both as a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to something that stands out as important, memorable, or visually emphasized. As a verb, it means to draw attention to, emphasize, or mark something as significant. Whether used in personal achievements, visual arts, or written documents, highlight plays a crucial role in making certain aspects stand out and be remembered or noticed more easily.

Examples of HIGHLIGHT in a sentence

HIGHLIGHT as a noun in a sentence

  • The main highlight of the concert was the unexpected performance by the guest star.
  • The highlight of the report was the new data on market trends, which surprised everyone.
  • The highlight of the tour was visiting the historic castle with its stunning architecture.
  • For many viewers, the highlight of the sports event was the last-minute winning goal.
  • The highlight of the evening was the award ceremony where the top performers were recognized.
  • The highlight of the meal was the chef’s special dessert, which everyone raved about.
  • In the documentary, the highlight was the rare footage of wildlife in their natural habitat.
  • The highlight of the festival was the elaborate fireworks display that dazzled the crowd.

HIGHLIGHT as a verb in a sentence

  • The teacher asked the students to highlight the key points in the textbook for better understanding.
  • To make your resume stand out, you should highlight your most significant achievements.
  • During the meeting, she used a marker to highlight the sections of the report that required immediate attention.
  • The new advertisement will highlight the company’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
  • In the presentation, the speaker will highlight the major trends in the industry over the past year.
  • The editor decided to highlight the author’s best quotes to make the article more engaging.
  • To improve readability, highlight important dates and deadlines in your calendar.
  • The documentary aims to highlight the cultural significance of traditional art forms in different communities.

Origin of HIGHLIGHT

The word highlight has its origins in a combination of Old English and Middle English, evolving through the influence of Latin and Old French before becoming part of Modern English. It refers to making something stand out or be more noticeable.

  • Old English:
    • Hīe (high) + līht (light)
    • The Old English words hīe (high) and līht (light) form the basis of the modern term. Although not used together in this context historically, they contribute to the sense of making something prominent or noticeable.
  • Middle English:
    • Hih (high) + lyghte (light)
    • In Middle English, hih (high) and lyghte (light) combined in various forms to describe something that stands out or is made prominent.
  • Modern English:
    • Highlight (to make something stand out or be more noticeable)
    • In Modern English, highlight refers to the act of making something stand out or become more noticeable, often used in contexts such as emphasizing text or events, reflecting its historical roots in Old English and Middle English terms related to prominence and attention.

The term highlight has preserved its core meaning of making something more noticeable or prominent from its Old English origins through Middle English and into Modern English, where it describes both the act of emphasizing and the features or aspects that stand out.

Synonyms

  • Emphasize
  • Accentuate
  • Feature
  • Showcase
  • Stress
  • Underscore
  • Illuminate
  • Bring attention to

Antonyms

  • Downplay
  • Ignore
  • Overlook
  • Minimize
  • Conceal
  • Neglect
  • Diminish
  • De-emphasize

Related

  • Focus
  • Spotlight
  • Call attention
  • Draw attention
  • Point out
  • Mark
  • Amplify
  • Centerpiece

🌐 🇬🇧 HIGHLIGHT in other languages

Terms of Use

Privacy & Cookies

Disclaimer

Who We Are

Main Sections

Idioms

Geographical Locations

Organisations

Professions

Let´s Talk

Contact

Instagram

® 2024 https://DefinitionGo.com