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glow up

B2 informal intransitive
In simple words

To go from looking ordinary or struggling to looking amazing and having a great life — like a big makeover.

Literal meaning: To grow while glowing with light — suggesting radiance and upward progress.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To improve dramatically in physical appearance, often from adolescence to adulthood.

"He was awkward in high school, but he really glowed up by the time he started university."

"She posted a side-by-side and the caption just said 'glow up' — and honestly, she wasn't lying."

— Twitter/X, widely circulated 2016–2019 (representative example of viral usage)
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To improve significantly in confidence, lifestyle, or personal success.

"After quitting her toxic job, she completely glowed up — she seemed happier than ever."

Usage notes

Internet and social media slang, popularised around 2015. Common on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Used as a noun ('her glow up is real') and a verb. Often refers to the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Mainly used by younger speakers.

Commonly used with

transformation confidence appearance summer era journey

Forms

Base
glow up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
glows up
he/she/it
Past simple
glowed up
yesterday
Past participle
glowed up
have + pp
-ing form
glowing up
continuous

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