glow-up

American  

[gloh-uhp] / ˈgloʊˌʌp /

noun

• glow-ups
  plural

1. a positive transformation, generally in appearance but often also in confidence, social capital, or ability.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• glow-ups
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

glow-up glow-ups

Summerween, like “Christmas in July,” offers a win-win on both sides — retailers get a jump on the season, and summer gets a retail glow-up.

From Salon ● Jun. 30, 2026

Now it is being set at 20.5% going forward to cover ongoing royal activities—sharply higher than before the palace glow-up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

"Clearly this is a massive glow-up for environments," said video game critic Alex Donaldson on Bluesky.

From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2026

But, in an increasingly familiar narrative, aggressive spending plans likely diminished the post earnings glow-up.

From Barron's ● Feb. 5, 2026

She and Josh are married, pregnant with twins, and he’s achieved a conservative glow-up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2025

Denka, the 23-year-old founder, who recently moved from San Francisco to New York, is unconvinced that mimicking billionaires’ glow-ups will move the needle for early-stage founders and their businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

Executive chef Lonie Murdock admits that some Caribbean customers view these glow-ups with concern or suspicion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026

Both also star as first-year counselors eager for their long-awaited glow-ups, bringing sardonic banter to a watchable ensemble of characters repping every teen trope in the genre book.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2023

Or maybe it’s one of those COVID-era glow-ups that had people emerging from isolation with straighter teeth and cuter clothes.

From Slate ● Apr. 28, 2022

One more year of being quiet, unassuming Bri who stays to herself as her friends get their glow-ups.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas