highly

Everyday

1. Highly means very or very much: highly dangerous, highly unlikely. tree →
2. Highly means with great respect or praise: «think highly of someone». tree →
3. Highly means at a high level, rank or amount: highly paid, highly skilled. tree →

In the lessons

In safety, labels say «highly flammable» or «highly toxic» — keep away. In maths and probability, «highly likely» means very probable, «highly unlikely» means almost impossible. In everyday talk «I highly recommend this book» means you strongly suggest it. Phrases: «highly likely/unlikely», «think highly of», «speak highly of», «highly recommend», «highly skilled».

Examples

• That spray is highly flammable — keep it away from fire. tree →
• It is highly unlikely to snow in summer. tree →
• My teacher thinks highly of your work. tree →
• I highly recommend this book. tree →
• Surgeons are highly skilled. tree →
• Some snakes are highly poisonous. tree →
• It is highly likely we will win. tree →
• Everyone speaks highly of the new coach. tree →

Note

Trap: «highly» usually means «very», not «at a great height». For height use «high»: «The kite flew high» (not «highly»). «Highly» goes before adjectives: highly dangerous, highly likely.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: "Highly exalted" in the Song at the Sea is praise of God for the victory at the sea, sung at Passover and every day in prayer. In the primary lessons: In safety, labels say «highly flammable» or «highly toxic» — keep away. In maths and probability, «highly likely» means very probable, «highly unlikely» means almost impossible. In everyday talk «I highly recommend this book» means you strongly suggest it. Phrases: «highly likely/unlikely», «think highly of», «speak highly of», «highly recommend», «highly skilled».

Examples

• And Miriam sang unto them: Sing ye to the LORD, for He is highly exalted: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. (Torah EXO.15.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spoke, saying: I will sing unto the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. (Torah EXO.15.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• D., remarked very truly in his German preface to the book "Yezirah," published in Leipzig, 1830: "This book is for two reasons highly important: in the first place, that the real Cabala, or mystical (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →
• Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. (Writings PSA.145.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, in the city of our God, His holy mountain, (Writings PSA.48.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• For great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. (Writings PSA.96.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Trap: «highly» usually means «very», not «at a great height». For height use «high»: «The kite flew high» (not «highly»). «Highly» goes before adjectives: highly dangerous, highly likely.