1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To have a very positive or admiring opinion of a person.
"Her manager thinks highly of her and often assigns her the most important projects."
inseparable
think highly of
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To have a great deal of respect, admiration, or positive regard for someone or something.
In plain English
To really respect or admire someone.
What does "think highly of" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To regard a piece of work, a product, or an idea with great respect or approval.
"Critics thought highly of the novel, calling it a masterpiece of modern fiction."
inseparable
Usage tip
Inseparable; the object always follows 'of'. Can apply to people, organisations, or work. The opposite is 'think poorly/badly of'. Often used in professional or formal contexts.
Words that pair with "think highly of"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
colleague work ability character candidate achievement
How to conjugate "think highly of"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
think highly of
I/you/we/they
3rd person
thinks highly of
he/she/it
Past simple
thought highly of
yesterday
Past participle
thought highly of
have + pp
-ing form
thinking highly of
continuous
Hear "think highly of" in the wild
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