'highlight' originates from the combination of 'high' and 'light', where 'high' meant 'great' and 'light' meant 'to illuminate'.

'highlight' evolved from the Middle English word 'hīe' (high) and 'līht' (light), eventually becoming the modern English word 'highlight'.

Initially, it meant 'to illuminate or make prominent', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.