highlight
/ˈhaɪlaɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhaɪlaɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhī-ˌlīt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈhaɪ.laɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhaɪ.laɪt/ (ame, ipa)
highlight — verb
1. to make a particular fact, problem, or detail stand out so that people notice it
to make a particular fact, problem, or detail stand out so that people notice it and give it their attention, either by talking or writing about it or by marking it clearly
The teacher highlighted the key grammar rules on the whiteboard before the exam.
highlight + noun phrase for marking something visually
Umi's report highlighted several problems with the city's public transport system.
The new study highlights how important sleep is for young children's brain development.
Dan used a yellow pen to highlight the most important dates in his history textbook.
- downplay
to make something seem less important, the opposite of highlighting it
文法句型
highlight + noun phrase
highlight + that-clause
highlight + how/wh-clause
用法筆記
Frequently used with direct objects that refer to facts, problems, differences, or needs. The passive form is also common: 'It was highlighted that…'
常見錯誤
highlight — noun
1. the part of an event, trip, performance, or period of time that is the most enjo
the part of an event, trip, performance, or period of time that is the most enjoyable, interesting, or important
The highlight of our trip to Japan was watching the cherry blossoms in Kyoto.
the highlight of + noun phrase for best part of an experience
Amara said the concert's highlight was when the band played her favourite song.
We watched the match highlights on the sports channel after dinner.
Rosa's birthday party was the highlight of the summer for the whole family.
- lowlight
informal; the worst or least enjoyable part of something
文法句型
the highlight of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'highlights' to refer to a summary of the best moments, especially of a sports game or TV programme.
常見錯誤
2. a light or bright area on a painting, drawing, or photograph that makes the imag
a light or bright area on a painting, drawing, or photograph that makes the image look more realistic by showing where light falls on a surface
The artist added white highlights to the waves to make the water look shiny.
highlights in painting for realism
In the portrait, Vikram noticed the subtle highlights on the model's cheekbones.
The painting uses strong contrasts between dark shadows and bright highlights.
Wen showed the class how to create highlights in a still life using just charcoal.
- bright spot
less specific; can refer to any light area in any context
- shadow
the dark area where light does not reach
用法筆記
Usually appears in the plural ('highlights') even when referring to a single painting. The opposite technical term is 'shadow'.
3. a thin, light-coloured piece of hair created by bleaching or dyeing a narrow sec
a thin, light-coloured piece of hair created by bleaching or dyeing a narrow section of hair, as a hairstyling technique
Xin decided to get caramel highlights to brighten her dark brown hair.
highlights as a hairstyling technique
Emeka's sister works at a salon and gives her friends free highlights every month.
Jing asked the hairdresser for thin highlights that would look natural in sunlight.
Boris thought the blonde highlights in his new hairstyle made him look younger.
- streaks
more general term; can be any colour, not necessarily lighter
用法筆記
Always used in the plural when referring to this sense — 'a highlight' in the hair-colour sense is very rare. Common verbs: 'get highlights', 'have highlights', 'put highlights', 'add highlights'.