Definition

Verb (informal): To make oneself or someone else look more attractive, stylish, or glamorous, typically by putting on special clothes, makeup, and accessories, often for a particular social event.

Usage

This is an informal, often playful verb. It is used to describe the process of dressing up and applying makeup with extra effort to achieve a glamorous appearance. It is commonly used in the context of preparing for a party, a night out, or a special occasion.

Examples

• "We need to glam up before the awards ceremony tonight."
• "She spent an hour glamming up for her date."
• "The magazine article shows you how to glam up a simple black dress with jewelry."
• "He decided to glam himself up for the wedding."

Advanced Usage

• Reflexive Use: The verb is often used reflexively (e.g., to glam oneself up).
• Causative Use: It can be used to describe making someone else look glamorous (e.g., "The stylist glammed up the actor for the red carpet.").

Variants and Related Words

• Glam (verb, informal): A shorter, more modern variant with the same meaning. (e.g., "Let's glam for the party!")
• Glamorous (adjective): Having an exciting and attractive quality associated with wealth and style.
• Glamour (noun): An attractive or exciting quality that makes certain people or things seem appealing.

Synonyms

• Doll up (informal): Has a very similar meaning and usage.
• Dress up: A more general term for putting on nice clothes.
• Preen: To spend time making oneself look attractive, often used for meticulous grooming.
• Primp: To make small adjustments to one's hair, clothes, or appearance.

Phrasal Verbs

• Glam up is itself a phrasal verb (verb + particle). There are no further common phrasal verbs derived from it.

Related Idioms

• Put on one's glad rags (idiom, informal): An old-fashioned idiom meaning to put on one's best or most glamorous clothes.
• Get all dressed up (phrase): To put on formal or very nice clothes.

Verb

1. use special care in dressing, making-up, etc.
   • She dolled herself up for the night out with her friends