1 C1 neutral
To gradually or noticeably become yellow, especially due to disease, aging, or chemical change.
"The plant's leaves began to yellow up, a sign that it was not getting enough nitrogen."
inseparable
yellow up
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To become increasingly or noticeably yellow, especially through aging or chemical change.
In plain English
To start looking more and more yellow, especially when that is a sign of aging or damage.
What does "yellow up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To take on more yellow color — transparent.
Actually means
To start looking more and more yellow, especially when that is a sign of aging or damage.
Usage tip
Extremely rare. Found mainly in specialist conservation, photography, or gardening texts (where leaves may 'yellow up' as a sign of disease or nutrient deficiency). Not a recognized standard phrasal verb in major dictionaries.
Words that pair with "yellow up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
leaves pages paper plastic paint photograph
How to conjugate "yellow up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
yellow up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
yellows up
he/she/it
Past simple
yellowed up
yesterday
Past participle
yellowed up
have + pp
-ing form
yellowing up
continuous
Hear "yellow up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "yellow up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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