HIGHLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does highly mean? 

• HIGHLY (adverb)
  The adverb HIGHLY has 3 senses:

1. to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

2. at a high rate or wage

3. in a high position or level or rank

  Familiarity information: HIGHLY used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HIGHLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

To a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

Synonyms:

extremely; highly

Context example:

extremely interesting

Pertainym:

high (greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount)

Sense 2

Meaning:

At a high rate or wage

Context example:

highly paid workers

Sense 3

Meaning:

In a high position or level or rank

Context example:

details known by only a few highly placed persons

Pertainym:

high (standing above others in quality or position)

 Context examples 

The man must value the pipe highly when he prefers to patch it up rather than buy a new one with the same money.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The people so highly resented this law, that our histories tell us, there have been six rebellions raised on that account; wherein one emperor lost his life, and another his crown.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

For I had been elevating her too highly in my concepts of her, removing her too far from the plane of the human, and too far from me.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I am only a simple Norfolk squire, but there is not a man in England who ranks his family honour more highly than I do.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

This is highly unusual—you’ll have more than half the solar system in one area of your chart.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Highly as the dog-driver had forevalued Buck, with his two devils, he found, while the day was yet young, that he had undervalued.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

After that, she hugged Mr. Dick (who was highly honoured, but a good deal surprised); and after that, told them why.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This was quite a female case, and it would be highly absurd in him, who could be of no use at home, to shut himself up.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

The sketch of Rosamond's portrait pleased him highly: he said I must make a finished picture of it.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The whole formation is, of course, highly volcanic.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)