# highly

/ˈhaɪɫi/ (US) · /hˈaɪli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/highly
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. very or extremely

adverb · CEFR B1

to a high degree. You use this to make an adjective stronger, especially when talking about something positive or professional.

For teachers: used as an intensifier meaning 'to a high degree'. It typically collocates with adjectives like 'likely', 'unlikely', 'effective', or 'unusual'.

- It is highly likely that the weather will improve by tomorrow afternoon.
- The research team concluded that the new treatment was highly effective, though they noted several minor side effects in the final report.

Usage: Usually placed immediately before the adjective it modifies.

Teaching tip: Encourage students to learn this as part of a pair, such as 'highly recommended' or 'highly successful'.

### 2. with great respect

adverb · CEFR B2

in a way that shows you have a very good opinion of someone or something.

For teachers: in a manner expressing high esteem or approval. Often used with verbs of speaking or thinking, such as 'speak' or 'think'.

- Everyone in the office speaks highly of the new manager.
- The professor thought highly of her students' original research and encouraged them to submit it to a national journal.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrases 'speak highly of' or 'think highly of'.

Teaching tip: This sense is almost always used with 'of' to indicate the person or thing being praised.

## Examples

- She is a highly respected doctor in this city.
- The manager spoke highly of your performance during the last quarterly review.
- While the project is highly ambitious, the initial data suggests that the proposed timeline is realistic provided that funding remains consistent throughout the fiscal year.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.