Meaning & use
lighting up
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“lighting up” is a form of “light up”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbphrasal verb
Making a place or object bright by switching on lights or by shining on it; the -ing form of 'light up'.
Grammar: Can take an object: lighting up the room, lighting the room up.
Patterns
- light something up
- light up something
The fireworks were lighting up the whole sky.
He is lighting up the hallway with a new lamp.
The town starts lighting up its streets in the evening.
verbphrasal verb
Showing sudden happiness, so that your face or expression becomes bright and lively.
Grammar: No object; usually the face or eyes light up.
Patterns
- someone's face lights up
Her face was lighting up as she read the card.
The children's eyes were lighting up at the sight of the cake.
He was lighting up whenever she walked in.
verbphrasal verbinformal
Starting to smoke a cigarette or similar by setting fire to it.
Grammar: Often used without an object: he lit up outside.
Patterns
- light up a cigarette
He kept lighting up on the balcony even after the warning.
She was lighting up when the guard asked her to stop.
Word forms
| base form | light up |
|---|---|
| third person singular | lights up |
| past tense | lit up |
| -ing form | lighting up |
Common combinations
- lighting up the sky
- Fireworks were lighting up the sky.
- lighting up a room
- A candle was lighting up the room.
- lighting up with joy
- Her face was lighting up with joy.
- lighting up a cigarette
- He was lighting up a cigarette outside.
Synonyms and how they differ
- illuminate
- Illuminate is more formal and suggests carefully lighting something, while lighting up is everyday.
- brighten
- Brighten means to make or become brighter, often gently, while lighting up can be sudden.
- beam
- Beam describes a broad smile, whereas lighting up describes the change of expression.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: lighting up or lightening up?
lighting up vs lightening up
Lightening up means becoming more relaxed or less serious, while lighting up means shining or becoming bright with joy.
Practice
Which meaning of 'lighting up' fits: The kids' faces were lighting up when they saw the presents?
Choose one answer.
With faces, to light up means to show sudden happiness. Starting a fire is a different meaning and does not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lighting up”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.