What is highlight? Pronunciation and usage in English

highlight means . Learn how to pronounce and use highlight through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of highlight

highlightnoun

/ˈhʌɪlʌɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of highlight

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "highlight." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈhaɪ.lɪt/ (This is the one you'll hear most often)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • "hi": Pronounced like "high" - as in, "high school." The "h" is silent.
  • "li": Pronounced like "lee" - as in, "Lee Harvey Oswald."
  • "t": This is a short, quick "t" sound, like in "top."

Putting it together: “hi-lee-t”

Important Notes and Variations:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("hi"). This is crucial.

  • Regional Variations: You might hear slight variations depending on where someone is from:

    • Some people might say a very slight "ay" sound on the first syllable, almost like “hay-light.” This is less common but still understandable.

Resources for Hearing It:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, would you like:

  • To practice saying the word out loud? (I can't hear you directly, but I can give you feedback on your pronunciation if you read it to me).
  • To know how it's pronounced in a specific dialect (e.g., British English vs. American English)?

Usage and examples with the word highlight in English

Let's break down how to use the word "highlight" in English. It has several different meanings and uses! Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. As a Verb (to emphasize):

  • Meaning: To draw attention to something; to make something stand out.
  • Examples:
    • “I highlighted the key passages in the textbook.” (Meaning: I drew attention to them by marking them.)
    • “She highlighted his talent during the interview.” (Meaning: She emphasized his talent.)
    • “Please highlight the important points in your report.” (Meaning: Make them more noticeable.)
    • “The speaker highlighted the challenges we face.” (Meaning: He emphasized the challenges.)

2. As a Verb (to mark something with color):

  • Meaning: To use a colored marker or pen to mark something (often in a document or book). This is the most common usage today.
  • Examples:
    • “I need to highlight this sentence so I don't forget it.”
    • “She highlighted all the nouns in the paragraph.”
    • “Don't highlight everything—just the most important points!”
    • “Can you highlight the parts that you don't understand?”

3. As a Noun (a brightly colored marker):

  • Meaning: The colored marker itself.
  • Examples:
    • "I used a highlight to mark the main idea."
    • "She brought a stack of highlights to school."

4. As a Noun (a prominent feature or point):

  • Meaning: Something that stands out or is particularly important. This is often used in contexts like presentations or discussions.
  • Examples:
    • “The highlight of the trip was visiting the Grand Canyon.” (Meaning: The most exciting or memorable part.)
    • “The highlight of the conference was the keynote speaker.”
    • “The highlight of his career was winning the championship.”
    • “Let’s focus on the highlights of the report.” (Meaning: The most important parts.)

5. Specific Contexts:

  • In Computer Software (Word Processors, etc.): “Highlight” refers to the functionality that allows you to change the color or background of text to draw attention to it. (e.g., "I highlighted the email address.")

  • Brain Activity (Neuroscience): "Neural highlights" refers to areas of intense activity in the brain, often studied using fMRI.

Here's a little table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb (emphasize) To draw attention to I highlighted the key points.
Verb (mark) To mark with color I highlighted the important words.
Noun (marker) The colored marker She used a highlight pen.
Noun (feature) A prominent or important part The concert was the highlight.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "highlight"? (e.g., write an essay, give a presentation, etc.)
  • Can you give me a sentence where you’re planning to use it?

Synonyms for the word highlight

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