Reading Theme:
Highlight: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：emphasize or mark as important (highlight)
highlight
/ˈhaɪlaɪt/
vt./n.
To make something stand out so people pay special attention to it.
emphasize or mark as important
➕
/ˈɛmfəsaɪz ɔːr mɑːrk æz ɪmˈpɔːrtnt/
vt./n.
To visually or verbally draw special attention to a specific part of something, making it more noticeable.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
A compound of 'high' (elevated) + 'light' (illumination), literally 'to cast a strong light on'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a HIGHLIGHTER pen, which makes text stand out on a page. That's the core idea.
📖 Example
In her presentation, she used a bright red chart to highlight the most important finding.
She used a bright red chart to draw attention to the key finding.
🔗 Collocations
highlight the importance – to stress the significance of something
highlight in yellow – to mark with a yellow highlighter pen
key points to highlight – the main ideas that should be emphasized
🔄 Synonyms
emphasize (vt.) – To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.
underline (vt.) – To emphasize or stress the importance of something.
accentuate (vt.) – To make something more noticeable or prominent.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
highlighter (n.) – A brightly colored pen used for marking important text.
📖 Cultural Story
Originally a painting term for the brightest area on an object. Its modern use for emphasis expanded with tools like the marker pen, creating the verb sense. 'Highlights' for best moments is common in sports and entertainment media.
Meaning 2：the best part (highlight)
highlight
/ˈhaɪlaɪt/
vt./n.
The best, most interesting, or most exciting part of something.
the best part
➕
/ðə bɛst pɑːrt/
vt./n.
The most outstanding, memorable, or enjoyable part of an event, period, or experience.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The highlight of our trip was watching the sunrise from the mountain top.
The most memorable moment of our journey was the mountain sunrise.
🔗 Collocations
the highlight of the day – the best event or moment during a day
career highlight – the most significant achievement in one's professional life
watch the highlights – to view a summary of the best moments (e.g., from a sports game)
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
lowlight (n.) – The worst or least impressive part of an event or experience.
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