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glam up

B2 informal separable both
In simple words

To put on nice clothes and makeup to look really glamorous and exciting.

Literal meaning: To add glamour upward — transparent once you know 'glam' means glamorous.

Meanings

1 B2 informal

To make oneself look more glamorous and attractive, especially for a special occasion.

"She spent an hour glamming up before the awards ceremony."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 informal

To make a place, object, or event look more stylish and impressive.

"They glamoured up the old hall with fairy lights and velvet drapes."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Common in British and Australian English, especially in fashion and lifestyle media. Often reflexive ('glam yourself up') but also used transitively for spaces and objects. Popularized in celebrity and beauty culture. The related noun 'glam-up' is also used.

Commonly used with

outfit venue party look event makeup

Forms

Base
glam up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
glams up
he/she/it
Past simple
glamed up
yesterday
Past participle
glamed up
have + pp
-ing form
glaming up
continuous

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