high key

noun

, Movies.

a style of lighting that is bright, even, and produces little contrast between light and dark areas of the scene.

high-key

[ hahy-kee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

(of a photograph) having chiefly light tones, usually with little tonal contrast ( low-key ).

high-key

(of a photograph, painting, etc) having a predominance of light grey tones or light colours Compare low-key

First recorded in 1915–20

First recorded in 1915–20

“He will aye be drunk when the wind blaws,” returned Rorie in the same high key, and it was all that I could do to hear him.

At this moment Miss Prissy came rattling along towards the door, talking, we suspect designedly, in quite a high key.

His voice was pitched in an affectedly high key, his manner languidly ceremonious.

At that moment, I was almost startled by Terry's voice singing in a very high key.

If you keep it up to this passion, if you justify this high key-note, it is a great work, and worthy of a place next 'Luria.'

Browse