"Improve in appearance, with 'up'" - NYT Mini Crossword Answer

Answer

GLAM

4 letters

Clue Analysis

Clue: "Improve in appearance, with 'up'"
Position: 1 Down
Length: 4 letters
Answer: GLAM

What does "GLAM up" mean?

"Glam up" is a phrasal verb meaning to make oneself or something more glamorous, attractive, or stylish. It's commonly used in fashion and beauty contexts.

Personal Styling:

• Apply makeup and style hair
• Dress in fashionable clothing
• Add jewelry and accessories
• Enhance overall appearance

Other Applications:

• Decorate a room or space
• Enhance a product's appeal
• Improve visual presentation
• Add style and sophistication

Etymology and Origins

GLAM is short for "glamour" or "glamorous." The word glamour originally came from Scottish and meant a magical spell or enchantment, later evolving to mean alluring beauty.

Historical Development

The term gained popularity in the 1960s-70s with glam rock music and fashion, emphasizing theatrical, flashy styles.

Modern Usage

Today, "glam up" is widely used in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle contexts to describe enhancing one's appearance for special occasions.

Glam Up Examples

Special Events

"She decided to glam up for the awards ceremony with a designer dress and professional makeup."

Everyday Enhancement

"A simple outfit can be glammed up with the right accessories and confident styling."

Interior Design

"They glammed up the living room with metallic accents and luxurious fabrics."

Glam Culture & Fashion

Glam Rock Era

• David Bowie and T. Rex
• Theatrical makeup and costumes
• Glitter and metallic fabrics
• Gender-bending fashion

Modern Glam

• Red carpet fashion
• Instagram beauty trends
• Luxury lifestyle branding
• High-end cosmetics

Related Terms & Synonyms

Similar Phrases

• Dress up
• Doll up
• Spruce up
• Jazz up

Beauty Terms

• Makeover
• Glow up
• Touch up
• Beautify

Style Words

• Glamorize
• Enhance
• Embellish
• Upgrade

Crossword Strategy

This clue cleverly uses the phrase structure "with 'up'" to indicate a phrasal verb. GLAM appears in crosswords with various beauty and style-related clues:

• "Rock style"

• "Fashion flash"

• "Bowie's genre"

• "Stylish appeal"

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