Aglow means shining with light or warmth, or filled with excitement and happiness that seems to radiate outward. When something is aglow, it's as if light is coming from within it or reflecting off it in a warm, gentle way.

A jack-o'-lantern sits aglow on a porch at night, its candle making the carved face shine orange. City windows are aglow at dusk as people turn on their lights. The word suggests a soft, warm light rather than harsh brightness.

People can be aglow too, but in a different way. When you say someone's face is aglow, you mean they look radiantly happy, their excitement or joy visible to everyone around them. A birthday kid might be aglow with anticipation while waiting to open presents. An athlete's face might be aglow with pride after winning a hard-fought competition. In these cases, the glow isn't literal light, but the unmistakable appearance of inner happiness shining through.

The word captures both actual light (like embers aglow in a fireplace) and the light-like quality of pure joy.