Word Study
highly
CIDE DICTIONARY
highly, adv.
In a high manner, or to a high degree; very much; as, highly esteemed. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
highly, adv.
1 in a high degree (highly amusing; highly probable; commend it highly).
2 honourably; favourably (think highly of him).
1 in a high degree (highly amusing; highly probable; commend it highly).
2 honourably; favourably (think highly of him).
Idiom
highly-strung very sensitive or nervous.
Etymology
OE healice (as HIGH)
THESAURUS
highly
a deal, a great deal, a lot, abundantly, approvingly, as all creation, as all get-out, authoritatively, beaucoup, considerable, considerably, decidedly, effectively, enthusiastically, ever so, ever so much, exceedingly, exceptionally, extraordinarily, extremely, favorably, galore, greatly, hugely, immensely, importantly, in great measure, incomparably, influentially, largely, much, muchly, never so, no end, no end of, not a little, notably, parlous, plenty, powerfully, pretty much, quite, remarkably, so, so very much, strikingly, strongly, surpassingly, to the skies, tremendously, very, very much, warmly, wellFor further exploring for "highly" in Webster Dictionary Online