Phrasal verb
light up
Definition
phrasal verb. to make something bright or visible by adding light; also to cause a facial expression of joy or surprise.
phrasal verb. to cause a source of light to emit illumination; can also mean to cause a facial expression of joy or surprise, often used metaphorically.
Examples
“The lamp lights up the room.”
“She lit up the candle to read the letter.”
“The fireworks lit up the night sky in a dazzling display.”
Examples
simple
“The lamp lights up the room.”
contextual
“She lit up the candle to read the letter.”
complex
“The fireworks lit up the night sky in a dazzling display.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “light up” in context.
Verb
01. light up the night sky
“Thousands of fireworks light up the night sky during the festival.”
verb + noun
02. light up the room
“Her bright smile would always light up the room as soon as she entered.”
verb + noun
03. light up with excitement
“His eyes light up with excitement every time he talks about his new car.”
verb + prep + noun
04. light up with joy
“The children's faces light up with joy when they see the Christmas tree.”
verb + prep + noun
Adverb
05. instantly light up the stage
“The powerful spotlights instantly light up the stage for the main performer.”
adv + verb + noun
06. suddenly light up
“The stage would suddenly light up when the music started playing.”
adv + verb
Usage
followed by a direct object indicating what is illuminated, or used intransitively to describe facial expressions.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'illuminate' (formal) and 'brighten' (more general); note the metaphorical use in describing emotions.
Pitfall
The room lit up to
The room lit up with light
the preposition 'with' is required when specifying the source of light in transitive uses.
Phrasal verb
Particles
up
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
light + up + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/light-up