What does highlighted mean?
Highlighted means brought into greater prominence or given special attention. In writing and digital communication, a highlighted section may be marked with color, bold type, shading, or another visual device to help readers find it quickly. More broadly, people, achievements, and events can be highlighted when newspapers, reports, or speakers draw attention to something noteworthy. The word is widely used in British and American English and is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. It is also the past participle of the verb highlight, which means to emphasize or single out something. Compared with simply being important, being highlighted usually implies that the subject has been deliberately selected for attention or is presented as a notable example.
Emphasized, marked, or singled out for particular attention; made more visually prominent.
"The highlighted section of the report summarizes the main findings."
Often used with text, passages, areas, features, achievements, and people.
Past tense and past participle of highlight; to emphasize, mark, or single out for special attention.
"The article highlighted the young artist's rise to prominence."
The passive form is especially common: 'was highlighted.'
In digital reading, a single highlighted sentence can turn a crowded page into a map of what truly matters.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does highlighted come from?
The word derives from the verb highlight, which combines high and light in the sense of bringing something into focus. The underlying idea is that a marked or illuminated detail stands out against its surroundings. Related words include lighting, lighthouse, lightning, and daylight, all of which involve the older English root light.
Related word forms
How highlighted is actually used
The word is common in formal and informal contexts. As a past participle, it can also describe a person or achievement that has received special attention.
Easily confused with highlighted
Highlighted means made prominent or given special attention, whereas high-quality means having an especially good standard.
Highlighted describes something emphasized or marked for attention, while bright describes something that gives off strong light or is vivid in appearance.