noun

highlighter

HY-lai-tuh

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Highlighter (noun) means a felt-tip pen with brightly colored, semi-transparent ink used to mark up text so it stands out. Example: “She went through the report with a yellow highlighter.”

noun

A felt-tip pen with brightly colored, semi-transparent ink used to mark up text so it stands out.

"She went through the report with a yellow highlighter."

"My highlighter had dried out, so I switched to a pencil instead."

A cosmetic product that reflects light and is used to bring out the contours of the face.

"She swept a touch of highlighter along her cheekbones."

"The palette came with a cream highlighter as well as blusher."

Examples of highlighter in a sentence →

How to use highlighter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA highlighter is either a bright marker pen for text or a make-up product that catches the light on your face.

When to use it

Both senses are everyday, informal words used across speech and writing.

Memory tip

Context tells you which sense is meant: stationery for the pen, make-up for the cosmetic.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

yellow highlighter highlighter pen swipe of highlighter cream highlighter

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “highlighter” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She went through the report with a yellow _____.

Etymology

The word is built from the verb highlight with the agent suffix -er added, giving a name for a thing that highlights.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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marker pen

Rhymes for highlighter

fighter lighter blighter freighter gunfighter straighter firefighter Starfighter bullfighter

See all rhymes for highlighter →

Frequently asked questions

What is a highlighter used for?

It usually refers to a felt-tip pen with bright, see-through ink for marking important text, or to a cosmetic used to add a sheen to the face.

Where does the word highlighter come from?

It comes from the verb highlight plus the ending -er, which turns a verb into a word for the thing that does the action.

Is a highlighter the same as a marker pen?

A highlighter is a type of marker pen, but it is specifically made with translucent ink so the text underneath stays readable.

What is the meaning of highlighter?

"highlighter" (noun) means a felt-tip pen with brightly colored, semi-transparent ink used to mark up text so it stands out.