highly

In a high or esteemed manner.

Adverb

  1. In a high or esteemed manner.
    • He spoke highly of you.
  2. Extremely; greatly; very much.
    • He is in a highly visible job.
    • The book was highly controversial yet sold unbelievably well.
    • There are those who value a seat sufficiently highly that they prefer to make their daily journeys by the Western Region Vine Street line. - 1952 March, R. K. Kirkland, “The Railways of Uxbridge”, in Railway Magazine,...

Origin

From Middle English hiȝly, heȝly, heyȝliche, from Old English hēalīce (“highly”), equivalent to high + -ly. Cognate with Dutch hoogelijk (“highly”), German höchlich (“highly”), Danish højlig (“highly”), Swedish högligen (“highly”).

Forms

highlier more highly highliest most highly

Derived

highly commended highly composite number highly-enriched uranium highly enriched uranium highly sensitive person highly-strung highly superior autobiographical memory superior highly composite number think highly of