light up

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Word: Light up

Part of Speech: Verb (phrasal verb)

Basic Definition:

"Light up" means to make something bright or to start burning with a bright flame. It can also mean to become clear or to become happier or more excited.

Usage Instructions:

• "Light up" can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.
• Use it when talking about things that can burn (like a fire) or when describing someone's mood changing for the better.

Examples:

1. Literal Usage:

   • "The fireworks will light up the sky during the celebration."
   • "The campers lit up a fire to keep warm."

2. Figurative Usage:

   • "Her smile made his face light up with happiness."
   • "After the storm, the sun began to light up the sky."

Advanced Usage:

• "Light up" can imply a sudden change, like when someone suddenly becomes more cheerful or when something becomes much clearer after being confusing.
• You can also use it in a more casual context, such as "light up" referring to smoking a cigarette.

Word Variants:

• Lighted (adjective): Describing something that is lit, e.g., "The lighted pathway made it easy to walk at night."
• Lit (verb): The past tense of "light," e.g., "She lit the candle before dinner."

Different Meanings:

1. To ignite or start burning:
   • "The coal in the BBQ grill finally lit up."
2. To brighten a space:
   • "This lamp lights up the room a bit."
3. To become clear or joyful:
   • "His face lit up when he heard the good news."

Synonyms:

• Illuminate
• Ignite
• Brighten
• Cheer up

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Light up someone's life: This means to bring joy or happiness to someone.
  • Example: "Her kindness really lights up my life."
• Light up with excitement: This means to show excitement visibly.
  • Example: "The children lit up with excitement when they saw the presents."

Summary:

"Light up" is a versatile phrasal verb that can describe physical brightness or emotional brightness.

Academic

Verb

1. begin to smoke
   • After the meal, some of the diners lit up
2. ignite
   • The sky lit up quickly above the raging volcano
3. become clear
   • The sky cleared after the storm
4. make lighter or brighter
   • This lamp lightens the room a bit
5. start to burn with a bright flame
   • The coal in the BBQ grill finally lit up

Synonyms

• fire up
• light
• clear up
• clear
• brighten
• illume
• illumine
• illuminate