glow up

Meaning

A 'glow up' is a major, positive transformation in a person's physical appearance, style, confidence, or overall life situation. It is typically used to describe someone who has improved significantly over time, often comparing their past self (such as in childhood) to their current self.

Examples

• Have you seen his high school photos? He had a massive glow up in college.

  Have you seen his high school photos? He had a massive glow up in college.

• She started working out and dressing better, and her glow up is absolutely incredible.

  She started working out and dressing better, and her glow up is absolutely incredible.

• I'm hoping to have a bit of a glow up before the class reunion next summer.

  I'm hoping to have a bit of a glow up before the class reunion next summer.

• The actor's glow up over the last decade has been the talk of social media.

  The actor's glow up over the last decade has been the talk of social media.

• My sister went through a major glow up after she started taking care of her skin.

  My sister went through a major glow up after she started taking care of her skin.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She glowed down after she changed her style.

  ✓ She didn't look as good after she changed her style.

  While 'glow down' is sometimes used humorously online, 'glow up' is the standard, positive term. Avoid forcing artificial opposites in normal conversation.

• ✗ He is growing up very well.

  ✓ He is glowing up very well.

  'Grow up' means to mature or become an adult. 'Glow up' specifically refers to an aesthetic, stylistic, or lifestyle improvement.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Look at this old photo of me; I can't believe how much of a ___ I've had since then!

  💡 A major positive physical or personal transformation.

  Show answer

  glow up

• After focusing on her mental health and fitness, she experienced a total ___.

  💡 An incredible improvement in looks or confidence.

  Show answer

  glow up