# highly

Pronunciation: say "HY-lee" /ˈhaɪli/

## Adverb

1. To a very great degree; extremely or greatly.
   - Simple: Very much, or to a very great degree.
   - _The new policy proved highly controversial among voters._
   - _A reaction like that is highly unlikely under normal conditions._
2. In an esteemed manner; with great respect or approval.
   - Simple: In a way that shows great respect or admiration.
   - _The surgeon is highly regarded by colleagues across the country._
   - _Critics spoke highly of the director's latest film._

## Origin

From Middle English hiȝly, from Old English hēalīce, equivalent to "high" plus "-ly". It is related to Dutch hoogelijk, German höchlich, Danish højlig, and Swedish högligen.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/highly (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).