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high-key

high-key

1 9.1
Openly and strongly showing a feeling, often excitement
  • adjective
  • /haɪ ki/
  • Slang
: abiertamente
  • I have some friends who are actually high key TikTok famous.

Examples

  • But it was like a TikTok saying that Billy's verse on guess is high key predatory.

  • Very dark (low-key) and very light (high-key) photos lose detail when they're reproduced.

    Academic text (1993)
  • I have used a high-key subject, a blonde with lots of loose curly hair, clothed in an off-white top, posed against a dark, low-key background.

    Academic text (1993)
  • (Beige or white nylon stockings also diffuse, but they do not produce good blacks in the photograph and should be used only for high-key portraits.)

    Academic text (1993)
  • For high-key portraits, try Vaseline carefully smeared on a clear or skylight filter, leaving the center portion clear. When properly applied, it will soften and vignette the corners nicely.

    Academic text (1993)
  • I am feeling very high-key excited about the concert this weekend!

  • He gave a high-key performance that impressed everyone in the audience.

  • The movie's high-key humor made it a fun choice for a family night.

Synonyms

flamingly
vshigh-key
  • Slang
1 7.5

In a very bright and obvious way

is expressed openly and enthusiastically but less showy or theatrical

Antonyms

29 3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

13 4.2

Soft and not bright, like pale colors or quiet sounds

How Open

overt
48 5.1
high-key
  • Slang
1 9.1
low-key
  • Informal
44 5.0
reserved
29 3.7

Surface Forms

high-key positive

Morphology

high-key = high + key (semi-transparent) = high + key

Formed as a compound of 'high' + 'key' whose components suggest intensity/prominence, but the slang sense 'openly, intensely' is metaphorical and not fully predictable.

Etymology

High-key comes from the parts high (meaning 'strong' or 'bright') and key, and from 'high-key' lighting in photos that is very bright. So, high-key means openly or strongly felt, the opposite of 'low-key'.