lighting up
Making something glow
Lighting up most commonly means igniting a cigarette, cigar, or joint: She stepped outside for a smoke, lighting up before the door closed behind her.
The phrase also describes a face or eyes becoming animated with pleasure or excitement: His whole face lit up when he saw her.
More literally, lighting up refers to illuminating a space or object: Fireworks were lighting up the sky.
The participle captures the moment of activation—whether of flame, emotion, or light itself.
- brighteningIncreasing in light
- illuminatingMaking visible or understandable
- glowingGiving off steady light
- cigarettePaper-wrapped tobacco cylinder
- smoke breakPause for tobacco
matchstick · radiance · luminescence · glow up · spark · striking a match · enkindle · shining · ignition · flame · torch · fire up · candle · puffing · ember · inhale · eyes · bulb
lighting upextinguishing
Causing to stop burning
darkening · turning off · dimming · blacking out · switching off
lighting upextinguishing
Causing to stop burning
putting out · snuffing out · dousing · quenching · smothering
light, lit, lightly, highlight, sunlight, lighten, daylight, lighting, lighter