high-key

English

A high-key photograph of a paper roll.

Alternative forms

• highkey, high key, highk

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.

Adverb

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

1. (colloquial) In a conspicuous way.
   • 2022 January 31, BIG XO (@Raveyxoxo_), Twitter‎^[1]:

     High key no longer wanna tell anyone anything that’s going on with me.

Antonyms

• low-key

Coordinate terms

• low-key
• mid-key

Further reading

• high-key on Wikipedia.Wikipedia