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

The system generates electrical power and converts it into a highly concentrated beam. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026

Serena tells him his former boss Elliott Wyatt recommended him highly, which is strange given his former reticence. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

The glitzy brand, which started with its Singapore flagship in 1887, is known for its meticulous opulence and highly personalized service. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026

In December 2024, Ellaboudy took sick leave from his employment because he was exposed to highly concentrated nitric acid, which is used to make explosive materials. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 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