Adverb‑adjective collocation used to emphasize importance with force

To underscore significance strongly, especially when presenting research findings or formal statements

When reporting statistically robust results, highlighting a major impact on theory or practice, or emphasizing measurable differences

Academic writing (papers, theses), professional reports, scientific presentations; registers that require precision and formality

highly significant

highly significant

extremely significant, remarkably significant

• results
• difference
• correlation
• factor
• development

• very important
• extremely significant
• statistically significant

'high significant' missing the -ly adverbial form

incredibly significant, profoundly important

‘Highly’ functions as an intensifier; learners from languages without a comparative‑intensifier system may omit or misuse it (e.g., using ‘significant high’).

• highly unlikely
• highly effective
• deeply significant

Carries stronger emphasis than merely ‘very’ and tends to appear in formal academic registers.

Creates an emphatic tone that signals credibility and importance within scholarly discourse.

The findings were highly significant.

The adverb 'highly' is essential for the correct formation of this collocation. Ensure it is used before the adjective 'significant' to convey the intended emphasis.

very important → extremely important → highly significant