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."
separable
glam up
B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive
To make oneself or something look more glamorous and attractive through clothing, makeup, or decoration.
In plain English
To put on nice clothes and makeup to look really glamorous and exciting.
What does "glam up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To add glamour upward — transparent once you know 'glam' means glamorous.
Actually means
To put on nice clothes and makeup to look really glamorous and exciting.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "glam up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
outfit venue party look event makeup
How to conjugate "glam up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "glam up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "glam up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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