English Reference

Word

glam

US/ˈɡɫæm/

UK/ɡlˈæm/

Definition

adj. short for glamorous. You use it to describe someone or something that looks exciting, expensive, and very attractive.

adj. abbreviated form of glamorous; relating to a style that is high-fashion, exciting, or visually impressive. Often associated with the 1970s rock aesthetic or high-end beauty culture.

Examples

“She looks very glam in her new dress.”

“The awards ceremony was a glam event filled with famous actors and expensive jewelry.”

“The designer's latest collection successfully blends a gritty urban aesthetic with the glam sensibilities of mid-century Hollywood, creating a look that is both modern and nostalgic.”

Examples

simple

“She looks very glam in her new dress.”

contextual

“The awards ceremony was a glam event filled with famous actors and expensive jewelry.”

complex

“The designer's latest collection successfully blends a gritty urban aesthetic with the glam sensibilities of mid-century Hollywood, creating a look that is both modern and nostalgic.”

Usage

Often used as a predicative adjective after linking verbs like 'look' or 'feel'.

Real-World Examples

“So here's what to look out for – and how to stay safe while serving festival glam.”
BBC News · 30 Jul 2026

Etymology

Clipping of glamour.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/glam

English Reference