B1adverb1K

Highly

UK /["/ˈhaɪli/"]/US /["/ˈhaɪli/"]/

Definition

very

In simple words: Very much or to a great degree.

Examples

  • She is highly skilled in playing the violin.
  • The movie was highly praised by critics.
  • He is highly likely to pass the exam given his preparation.
  • They highly recommend this restaurant for dinner.
  • The team's performance was highly impressive during the match.

Usage notes

Used to emphasize the degree of an adjective or adverb. Typically appropriate in both spoken and written language, but be cautious in informal settings where simpler terms might be preferred.

Grammar pattern

highly + adjective/adverb

Memory hint

Think of 'highly' as being on a high shelf — very far up!

Collocations

  • highly recommended
  • highly qualified
  • highly effective
  • highly important
  • highly regarded

Synonyms

  • extremely
  • very
  • greatly
  • exceedingly
  • tremendously

Antonyms

  • low
  • slightly
  • mildly

Common mistakes

  • Using 'high' instead of 'highly' (e.g., 'high recommended' instead of 'highly recommended')
  • Confusing with 'highly' as a noun rather than an adverb
  • Omitting topics when using 'highly' (e.g., 'highly, please' is incomplete)