Radiant

ˈreɪdiənt

adjectivemedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Emitting light or heat; shining brightly.

ˈreɪdiənt

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Emitting light or energy

The sun was radiant in the morning sky.

💡 Simply: Imagine a lightbulb that's so bright it makes your eyes squint. That's radiant! It's about giving off light or heat like a happy sun.

👶 For kids: When something is radiant, it's like it's shining or glowing with light.

More Examples

2

The building's glass facade reflected the radiant city lights.

How It's Used

Physics

"The sun is a radiant source of energy."

General

"The fire provided radiant heat."

2

Displaying great joy, love, or health; glowing with happiness.

ˈreɪdiənt

adjectivepositiveBeginner
General

Expressing joy, love, or health

The bride looked radiant on her wedding day.

💡 Simply: Imagine someone's face when they're super happy, like they just won a game or got a puppy. Their face is all lit up, like a sunbeam! That's radiant! It's showing you how joyful someone is.

👶 For kids: When someone is radiant, they look super happy and smiley, like they're glowing with happiness!

More Examples

2

Her radiant health was evident to everyone.

3

His radiant happiness was infectious.

How It's Used

General

"She had a radiant smile."

Personal relationships

"His face was radiant with happiness after the proposal."

Tip:Think of someone's face 'radiating' happiness.

From Latin *radiāns*, present participle of *radiāre* 'to radiate,' from *radius* 'ray'.

The word 'radiant' has been used since the 17th century to describe something that emits light or shines brightly. The metaphorical use to describe emotions and well-being developed later.

Memory tip

Think of a radio emitting waves. Radiant things emit energy.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"ray, spoke of a wheel"

radiant smileradiant heatradiant energyradiant healthradiant face

Common misspellings

radientradaint

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written