1 light up | Definition of light up

light up

phrasal verb

Definition of light up

1 of a light : to become lit : to begin shining All of the lights on the display suddenly lit up. often used figuratively to express interest or pleasure His eyes/face lit up when she walked in the room.
2 informal, of a telephone : to show a light indicating that someone is calling When the DJ announced a contest, the phones lit up.
3 informal : to light a cigarette I can't wait to light up after work.