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light up

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌlaɪt ˈʌp/

light up means: To make a place or thing bright by shining light on it.

verb

MAKE BRIGHTB1

To make a place or thing bright by shining light on it.

  • The lamp lights up the room.
  • Fireworks lit up the sky last night.
  • These small lights will light up the path.

How to use it: light something up (The fireworks lit the whole sky up.)

Similar words: light, illuminate, brighten

Opposites: darken

Common phrases: light up a room, light up the sky

START SHININGB1

To begin shining or showing light, often when switched on.

  • The screen lights up.
  • A red warning light lit up on the dashboard.
  • Why does this button light up when I press it?

Similar words: come on, glow

Opposites: go out

Common phrases: screens light up, buttons light up

SHOW EXCITEMENTB2

To suddenly look happy or excited, or show a clear increase in activity.

  • Her face lit up.
  • His eyes lit up when he saw the gift.
  • The scan showed several brain areas lighting up during the task.

How to use it: light up at something (Her face lit up at the mention of her grandson.); light up when… (His eyes light up when he talks about music.)

Similar words: brighten, perk up

Common phrases: faces light up, eyes light up

START SMOKINGB2

To start smoking by making a cigarette, cigar, or pipe burn.

  • He stepped outside to light up.
  • She lit up a cigarette near the door.
  • Please do not light up in the car.

How to use it: light up something (He lit up a cigar after dinner.)

Common phrases: light up a cigarette, light up outside

FIRE ATC2

To begin shooting at someone or something, often with powerful weapons.

  • They lit up the enemy truck.
  • The troops prepared to light up the bunker with rockets.
  • The commander shouted, “Light it up!”

How to use it: light someone/something up (The soldiers were ordered to light the enemy vehicle up.)

Similar words: fire on, open fire on

Common phrases: light up a target, light someone up

SIGNAL DRIVER STOPC2

To switch on police lights and sirens to make a driver stop.

  • The officer lit up the driver.
  • A patrol car lit me up on the highway.
  • If he keeps speeding, I will light him up.

How to use it: light someone up (The officer lit the speeding driver up.)

Similar words: pull over

Common phrases: light up a driver, light someone up

Questions about light up

What does light up mean?

To make a place or thing bright by shining light on it.

What is light up in other languages?

Türkçe: aydınlatmak · Español: iluminar · Français: éclairer · Deutsch: beleuchten · Italiano: illuminare · 日本語: 照らす

How do you pronounce light up?

It is pronounced /ˌlaɪt ˈʌp/.

How do you use light up in a sentence?

The lamp lights up the room. Fireworks lit up the sky last night.

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