Meaning & use
highlighting
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“highlighting” is a form of “highlight”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Drawing attention to something so it is noticed.
Grammar: -ing form of highlight.
Patterns
- highlight something
The report is highlighting serious problems.
She was highlighting the benefits.
The ad is highlighting low prices.
verbtransitive
Marking text with a bright pen or color.
Grammar: Takes an object.
Patterns
- highlight a passage
He is highlighting key words in yellow.
Highlighting the page helps review.
noununcountable
Lighter streaks added to hair, or the lighter areas in a picture.
Grammar: Beauty and art.
She had highlighting done at the salon.
The highlighting on the face looks natural.
Word forms
| third person singular | highlights |
|---|---|
| past tense | highlighted |
| past participle | highlighted |
| -ing form | highlighting |
Common combinations
- highlighting the importance
- Highlighting the importance of sleep.
- highlighting key points
- Highlighting key points helps.
- text highlighting
- Text highlighting is useful.
- hair highlighting
- Hair highlighting takes time.
Synonyms and how they differ
- emphasizing
- Stressing, not marking.
- underlining
- Marking with a line.
- spotlighting
- Focusing attention.
- stressing
- Spoken emphasis.
Opposites
Word family
- highlight noun
- the best part
- highlighter noun
- a bright marker pen
Practice
The teacher is ___ the most important sentences in yellow.
Choose one answer.
Highlighting means marking text so it stands out.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “highlighting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.