highlighter
HY-ly-ter
/ˈhaɪˌlaɪtər/
A felt-tip pen containing translucent, fluorescent ink, used to mark important sections of text without obscuring them.
Emphasizes its specific function of drawing attention to text by coloring it brightly, rather than writing over it or obscuring it.
The story behind the word. The word 'highlighter' is a compound of 'high' and 'light,' literally meaning to 'light up' or 'bring to a high level of attention.' While the concept of emphasizing text is ancient, the modern fluorescent highlighter pen was developed in the 1960s. Its name perfectly captures its function: to make important information 'stand out' or be 'highlighted' on the page, catching the eye with its bright, translucent ink.
Word relationships
- marker pen: A broader term; a highlighter is a specific type of marker pen.
Commonly confused with
- marker: A highlighter uses translucent ink to emphasize existing text; a marker uses opaque ink to write new text or draw.
Word family
- highlight (verb): To mark (text) with a highlighter.
- highlight (noun): An outstanding part of an event or period.
Collocations
- yellow highlighter
- fluorescent highlighter
- liquid highlighter
- highlight with a highlighter
Example sentences
- "She used a yellow highlighter to mark the key definitions in her textbook, making them easier to review." Studying
- "The editor went through the manuscript with a pink highlighter, noting all the sections that needed revision." Reviewing documents
Memory hook
A HIGHLIGHTER makes important text HIGHly visible and LIGHTS it up. Lights up text.
When not to use
For writing original text (use a pen or pencil) or for marking text that needs to remain pristine and unmarked.
Fun facts
- The first highlighter was invented by Carter's Ink Company in 1963 and was called the 'Hi-Liter.'
- The fluorescent dyes used in highlighters absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible light, making the colors appear particularly bright.
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