glow

Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

a glow

A mild alcohol or drug-induced high. I don't want to get drunk tonight, I just want a nice glow. Well, you sure have a nice glow. Were you smoking weed while I was at work? I had a nice glow and watched a few movies—it was a lovely Friday night.

bask in the glow of approval (from someone)

To revel in the approval that has been shown to one by others. She's still basking in the glow of approval from the critics who came to the play's opening night. The boss had a lot of praise for my pitch today. I'm still basking in the glow of approval! The child beamed as he basked in the glow of approval from his adoring parents.

feel a glow of contentment

To feel delighted and satisfied. The newlyweds are so cute—they really seem to be feeling a glow of contentment. I felt a glow of contentment when I saw that I'd won three academic awards. My hard work had paid off! I can't believe I finally have my own home! Gosh, I still feel a glow of contentment every time I pull up in front of it.

feel a glow of happiness

To feel delighted and content. The newlyweds are so cute—they really seem to be feeling a glow of happiness. I felt a glow of happiness when I saw that I'd won three academic awards. My hard work had paid off! I can't believe I finally have my own home! Gosh, I still feel a glow of happiness every time I pull up in front of it.

feel a glow of satisfaction

To feel delighted and content. The newlyweds are so cute—they really seem to be feeling a glow of satisfaction. I felt a glow of satisfaction when I saw that I'd won three academic awards. My hard work had paid off! I can't believe I finally have my own home! Gosh, I still feel a glow of satisfaction every time I pull up in front of it.

glow up

1. verb To transform oneself in a significant way. The phrase can be applied to positive changes in one's appearance, but usually focuses more on one's successes in life and increased self-confidence. Modeled on the phrase "grow up." I feel like I really glowed up this year because I started a great new job, ended a toxic relationship, and became comfortable with being single. I really floundered after graduating from college last year—that's why I'm determined to glow up this year. New year, new me! Look at you—a manager! You've glowed up so much since you started here as an intern.

2. noun A significant self-transformation. The phrase can be applied to positive changes in one's appearance, but usually focuses more on one's successes in life and increased self-confidence. I feel like I really had a glow up this year because I started a great new job, ended a toxic relationship, and became comfortable with being single. Have you seen Ellie lately? She's stunning! She's had quite the glow up since middle school. If I have had a glow up, it's probably because of therapy. My anxiety isn't as crippling as it once was

glow with (something)

1. To emanate light, typically due to the presence of heat. The logs in the fireplace glowed with a soft light. Yikes, I'm sweating already! Those studio lights glow with such heat! It is really romantic to have all these candles glowing with soft flames, but, I'm sorry, I can't see the menu well enough to read it.

2. To show a particular emotion in one's facial expression. The bride and groom have just been glowing with joy all day long. Lydia's eyes glowed with emotion as she listened to the toast in her honor. The girls' eyes glow with excitement every time someone so much as mentions Christmas.

have (got) a glow on

slang To become drunk. Did he really have a glow on at the bar last night? Is that why he was acting so weird? I did have a glow on, so the details of last night are all a bit fuzzy. If my sister's got a glow on at the reception, do not let her anywhere near the microphone.

in glowing colors

In a very complimentary, positive, or favorable manner. You must have really impressed your teachers because they speak about you in very glowing colors. That reviewer talked about the film in glowing colors, so I kind of want to see it now. A: "I'm not sold on that candidate." B: "I know, the recruiter didn't exactly talk about him in glowing colors."

in glowing terms

In a very complimentary, positive, or favorable manner. You must have really impressed your teachers because they speak about you in very glowing terms. That reviewer talked about the film in glowing terms, so I kind of want to see it now. A: "I'm not sold on that candidate." B: "I know, the recruiter didn't exactly talk about him in glowing terms."

feel a glow of happiness

and feel a glow of contentment; feel a glow of satisfaction; feel a glow of peacefulness

Fig. to have a good feeling of some kind. Anne felt a glow of happiness as she held her new baby. Sitting by the lake, the lovers felt a warm glow of contentment.

glow with something

1. Lit. [for something] to put out light, usually because of high heat. The embers glowed with the remains of the fire. The last of the coals still glowed with fire.

2. Fig. [for someone's face, eyes, etc.] to display some quality, such as pride, pleasure, rage, health. Her healthy face glowed with pride. Her eyes glowed with a towering rage.

have (got) a glow on

Fig. to be intoxicated; to be tipsy. (Fixed order.) Since you already have a glow on, I guess you won't want another drink. Jed had a glow on and was acting silly.

in glowing terms

Fig. using words of praise; using complimentary expressions. The college president described his accomplishments in glowing terms and awarded him with an honorary degree.

in glowing ˈterms/ˈcolours

(British English) (American English in glowing ˈterms/ˈcolors) in a very positive way: He describes Manchester in glowing terms. I never realized it was such an interesting place. ♢ He spoke of her performance in the movie in glowing terms.

glow

n. a mild state of drug or alcohol intoxication. What was supposed to be a nice glow turned out to be a terrifying hallucination.

glow worm

n. a drunkard; an alcoholic. (From glow.) Gary came out of the bar and tripped over a napping glow worm near the entrance to the alley.

have a glow on

tv. to be alcohol intoxicated; to be tipsy. (Have got can replace have.) Since you already have a glow on, I guess you won’t want another drink.