Light up meaning
Light up means to become bright, or make something bright with light. It can also mean to suddenly look very happy, used for a face or eyes.
light something up
light up · lit · lighting
The city lights up at night.
Light up meanings and examples
3 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.
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1
Become bright, or make something bright with light
light something up
- The city lights up at night.
- The fireworks lit the whole sky up.
- The room was dark until she lit it up with candles.
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2
Suddenly look very happy, used for a face or eyes
light up
- Her face lit up when she saw the puppy.
- His eyes light up when he talks about football.
- The kids lit up when Grandpa walked in.
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3
Light a cigarette and start to smoke
light up
- He went outside and lit up.
- You can’t light up in the station.
- She lit up as soon as the meeting ended.
Café orders
New friends
At the airport
Slova
Use light up in real conversations
- Learn new words with picture cards
- Talk with Felix, an AI tutor, about the things you love
- Short lessons at your level, a few minutes a day
Is light up separable?
Light up can have no object: The sky lit up. With an object, it is separable: light up the room, light it up.
The past is lit up (sometimes lighted up in US English). Someone lights up a room means they bring energy and happiness to people.
Verb tenses for light up
| Present | I light up · she lights up |
|---|---|
| Past | lit up |
| Present perfect | have lit up |
| -ing form | lighting up |
Common mistakes with light up
What learners often say, and what to say instead.
Wrong: The lamps lighted up the garden.
Right: The lamps lit up the garden.
The usual past is lit.
Wrong: His face lit up of joy.
Right: His face lit up with joy.
Use with for the feeling.
Wrong: Please light up the candle.
Right: Please light the candle.
To start a flame, just say light.
Synonyms and opposites of light up
Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.
Similar
- brightenbecome or make brighter
- shinegive out light
- cheer upbecome or make someone happier
Opposite
- go darklose all light
- switch offstop a light or machine by pressing a switch
Light up quiz
Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.
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1At night the bridge ___ in blue and green.
Light up means become bright with light.
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2Choose the right sentence.
Use lit up with + feeling.
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3“No one may light up inside the building.” What is not allowed?
Light up can mean light a cigarette.
Find your level
The phrasal verbs test adapts as you answer, from A2 to C1, and shows which ones you miss.
- get upA1get out of bed after you sleep
- take upB1start a new hobby or activity
- put upB1fix something to a wall, or raise something higher
- look upA2find information in a dictionary, a book or online
- go upB1become higher, like a price, a number or a temperature
- come upB2be mentioned or talked about
- give upB1stop doing or having something, often a habit
- break upB1end a romantic relationship
Light up FAQ
Questions people ask about light up.
What does her face lit up mean?
It means she suddenly looked very happy or excited.
Lit up or lighted up?
Lit up is the most common past form. Lighted up is also possible, mostly in US English.
What does light up the room mean?
It describes a person who makes everyone feel happy when they arrive: She lights up the room.
Use light up in real conversations
In Slova you learn new words with picture cards, then use them when you talk about the things you love. A few minutes a day, at your level.