What is highly? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of highly

highlyadverb

/ˈhʌɪli/
Definition & pronunciation of highly

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "highly" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's the breakdown:

The correct pronunciation is: /ˈhaɪli/ (HIGH-lee)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • "High": This part is straightforward. It sounds like "HIGH" as in "high school." The "y" is relatively short and doesn't have a distinct sound.
  • "ly": This is where most people stumble. It doesn't make the "l" sound. Instead, it's pronounced like "lee". Think of the word "free" – that's the same sound.

Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "hi-ly": This is the most common mistake. It's important to keep the "high" sound separate.
  • Don't overemphasize the "y": It’s a subtle sound.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. You can find pronunciation examples on:

Would you like me to:

  • Say the word aloud?
  • Give you some more example sentences using "highly"?

Usage and examples with the word highly in English

Let's break down how to use the word "highly" effectively in English. It's a versatile word that adds emphasis and a sense of intensity to a statement. Here's a breakdown of its uses, with examples:

1. As an Adverb (Most Common Usage):

  • Meaning: "Highly" primarily functions as an adverb, meaning "very" or "extremely." It amplifies the adjective or verb it modifies.

  • Examples:

    • "She is highly intelligent." (Means she's very intelligent)
    • "The food was highly recommended." (Means it was extremely recommended)
    • "The experiment yielded highly promising results." (Means the results were very promising)
    • "He was highly disappointed." (He was extremely disappointed)
    • "The city is highly regarded for its museums." (The city is very well-regarded)

2. With Adjectives (To Intensify):

  • Creating Highly Adjectives: You can combine "highly" with an adjective to create a stronger, more emphatic form.

  • Examples:

    • Highly effective (much more effective than just "effective")
    • Highly skilled (much more skilled than just "skilled")
    • Highly sensitive (very sensitive)
    • Highly controversial (a more intense level of controversy)
    • Highly important (extremely important)

3. In Phrases:

  • Highly likely: Indicates a strong probability. "It is highly likely that it will rain tomorrow."

  • Highly probable: Similar to "highly likely," signifying a strong chance.

  • Highly recommended: Suggests a strong endorsement. “This restaurant is highly recommended.”

  • Highly regarded: Means something is greatly valued or respected. “The professor is highly regarded for his expertise.”

4. Formal/Literary Use (Less Common):

  • You might occasionally find “highly” used in more formal or literary writing for a deliberate stylistic effect, emphasizing the strength of a sentiment or assertion. However, in most modern contexts, "very" or "extremely" are more common.

Important Notes and Considerations:

  • Don't overuse it: While "highly" is useful, using it too often can make your writing sound repetitive or overstated. Consider if "very" or "extremely" would be equally effective.

  • Clarity: Ensure “highly” is providing genuine emphasis. Sometimes a stronger adjective (like “crucial,” “vital,” “significant”) would be more precise and impactful.

  • Alternatives: Sometimes you can replace “highly” with words like:

    • Very
    • Extremely
    • Truly
    • Remarkably
    • Significantly

Let's test your understanding:

Fill in the blanks with "highly" or a suitable alternative:

  1. The professor’s lecture was _____ informative.
  2. She is a _____ talented musician.
  3. The evidence suggests it is _____ possible that he was involved.
  4. The company's profits reached a _____ impressive level this quarter.

Answers:

  1. highly
  2. highly
  3. highly
  4. highly

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain how to use "highly" in a specific context (e.g., academic writing, business communication)?
  • Provide some exercises to practice using "highly"?

Synonyms for the word highly

Practice with vocabulary highly

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project manager is known for her leadership skills and is __________ respected by her team.
  2. Recent market analysis indicates that the demand for sustainable energy solutions is __________ likely to increase in the coming decade.
  3. The consultant's report __________ emphasized the need for greater investment in staff training and development.
  4. Dealing with complex ethical dilemmas requires an __________ acute sense of judgment and integrity.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. To succeed in today's global market, companies must remain _________ competitive. a) widely b) highly c) greatly d) deeply

  2. The committee members _________ value the input from all stakeholders before making a final decision. a) deeply b) highly c) extremely d) profoundly

  3. It is _________ advisable to double-check all data entries to prevent errors in financial reports. a) highly b) extremely c) strongly d) very

  4. Before presenting the findings, the research team _________ reviewed all collected data for accuracy. a) highly b) thoroughly c) vaguely d) scarcely

  5. The new AI model has _________ improved the efficiency of our customer service operations. a) extremely b) widely c) vastly d) highly

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The organization places significant importance on ethical conduct in all its dealings. Rewrite using "highly" or a related word form:

  2. Due to its innovative design, the product received excellent feedback from early adopters. Rewrite using "highly" or a related word form:

  3. The adverse weather conditions posed a very serious threat to the outdoor event. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word instead of "highly":

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. highly
  2. highly
  3. significantly
  4. extremely

Exercise 2:

  1. b) highly
  2. a) deeply, b) highly
  3. a) highly, b) extremely, c) strongly, d) very
  4. b) thoroughly
  5. c) vastly (a) extremely is also acceptable)

Exercise 3:

  1. The organization highly prioritizes ethical conduct in all its dealings.
  2. Due to its innovative design, the product was highly acclaimed by early adopters.
  3. The adverse weather conditions posed a grave threat to the outdoor event.

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