high-key

See also: highkey

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From high +‎ key.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US):(file)

Adjective

high-key (comparative more high-key, superlative most high-key)

  1. (art, photography) Characterised by light tones and absence of shadow.
    • 1942 November, Victor Keppler, “Key to Good Pictures”, in Popular Photography, →ISSN, page 29:
      Details are tremendously important in composing an outstanding high-key photograph.

Translations

Adverb

high-key (comparative more high-key, superlative most high-key)

  1. (colloquial, uncommon) In a conspicuous way.
  2. (chiefly Canada, US, originally African-American Vernacular, colloquial) Used as an intensifier; really.
    Antonym: low-key (except in meiosis)
    I'm highkey pissed at you right now.
    • 2022 January 31, BIG XO (@Raveyxoxo_), Twitter‎[1]:
      High key no longer wanna tell anyone anything that’s going on with me.

Coordinate terms

Further reading

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