DictionaryCommunication

Highkey

Definition

Openly, intensely, obviously, or to a strong degree.

Example
I highkey want to watch that movie again.
How it is used

Highkey emphasizes that a feeling, opinion, or desire is strong and not being hidden. It commonly functions as an adverb before phrases such as 'highkey love,' 'highkey need,' or 'highkey obsessed.'

Origin and context

Highkey existed in older technical and descriptive uses, but its modern slang use developed as a deliberate opposite of lowkey. It spread through social media during the 2010s as a way to communicate open or intense feelings.

Common variations

high-key

The hyphenated spelling of the same slang term.

high key

A two-word spelling frequently used in informal messages and posts.

highkey obsessed

A common construction expressing strong and openly acknowledged enthusiasm.

Frequently asked questions
What does highkey mean?

Highkey means openly, intensely, obviously, or to a strong degree.

Is highkey the opposite of lowkey?

Yes. Lowkey suggests restraint or subtlety, while highkey emphasizes that something is strong or openly acknowledged.

How is highkey used in a sentence?

It usually appears before a feeling or opinion, as in 'I highkey love this song.'

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Quietly, subtly, somewhat, secretly, or without attracting much attention.

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