Highlight: meaning, definitions and examples

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highlight

 

[ˈhaɪˌlaɪt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

text editing

To emphasize or draw attention to a specific part of text by making it stand out visually or by applying a different format.

Synonyms

accentuate, emphasize, spotlight, underline.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
highlight

Used to draw attention to the most important part of something. Commonly used in presentations, documents, and narratives.

  • In her speech, she highlighted the achievements of the past year.
  • The teacher used a yellow marker to highlight important points in the textbook.
emphasize

Typically used to give special importance or priority to a specific point or piece of information. Common in both spoken and written communication.

  • The CEO emphasized the importance of customer satisfaction in her speech.
  • He emphasized that the project must be completed on time.
accentuate

Often used to make something more noticeable or prominent. Frequently employed in discussions about appearance, design, or features.

  • The scarf really accentuates her eyes.
  • The architect used bright colors to accentuate the modern design of the building.
underline

Primarily used in writing to indicate that something is important or should be noticed. It can also be used metaphorically to stress a point in a conversation.

  • The data underlines the need for immediate action.
  • She underlined key sentences in the document.
spotlight

Used to focus public attention on someone or something, often involving a sense of public scrutiny or fame. Can have both positive and negative connotations.

  • The charity event spotlighted the issue of homelessness.
  • The media spotlighted the young actress after her debut film.

Examples of usage

  • Can you please highlight the key points in this document?
  • She used a yellow marker to highlight important information in the textbook.
  • The bolded text will help to highlight the most important details.
  • The color red is often used to highlight errors in the text.
  • He highlighted the title of the book with a bright color.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'hīh' meaning high, and 'light', referring to brightness or illumination.
  • Initially used in the context of painting, it described areas on a canvas that caught the light the most.
  • In the late 19th century, it transitioned to meaning the most important point or moment in a narrative or event.

Education

  • Highlighting is a common study technique, helping students emphasize key information for better retention.
  • Research shows that color-coding highlights can further improve memory and understanding.
  • Effective highlighting involves selecting only the most critical pieces of information rather than marking too much text.

Pop Culture

  • In social media, 'highlight' is often used to summarize key moments, like in Instagram stories, where people share the best parts of their day.
  • Television and sports often emphasize 'highlights' as a way to showcase the most exciting plays or moments from games.
  • Movies often have highlight reels that showcase critical scenes, making it easier for audiences to remember the best parts.

Psychology

  • Highlights can influence our perception, making us focus more on pivotal events while overlooking less significant ones.
  • People often remember highlights of experiences more vividly than the mundane details, affecting how they recall events.
  • Mood and emotional state can amplify the perception of certain highlights, making a good day seem even better.

Technology

  • Text editing software often includes a highlighting feature to improve document navigation and readability.
  • The rise of digital media has made highlights accessible at the click of a button, often presented in video summaries or playlists.
  • Artificial Intelligence technologies are now used to automatically highlight key information in texts and documents, enhancing productivity.

Translations

Translations of the word "highlight" in other languages:

🇵🇹 destaque

🇮🇳 प्रमुखता

🇩🇪 Höhepunkt

🇮🇩 sorotan

🇺🇦 виділити

🇵🇱 wyróżnienie

🇯🇵 ハイライト

🇫🇷 surligner

🇪🇸 resaltar

🇹🇷 vurgulamak

🇰🇷 하이라이트

🇸🇦 تسليط الضوء

🇨🇿 zvýraznit

🇸🇰 zvýrazniť

🇨🇳 高光

🇸🇮 poudarek

🇮🇸 aðalatriði

🇰🇿 ерекшелеу

🇬🇪 განსაკუთრება

🇦🇿 vurğulamaq

🇲🇽 resaltar

Word Frequency Rank

Position #7,929 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.