Word
radiant
Phoneticsra·di·ant, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹeɪˌdiənt/
UK/ɹˈeɪdiənt/
Definitions
01glowing with light or heat
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. sending out light or heat in a way that is bright and warm.
adj. emitting light or heat through radiation; shining brightly.
“The radiant sun warmed the beach early in the morning.”
“The radiant heat from the fireplace was enough to warm the entire living room despite the freezing temperatures outside.”
02showing great happiness
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. looking very happy, healthy, or full of love.
adj. manifesting great joy, love, or health through one's facial expression or physical appearance.
“She looked radiant in her white dress on her wedding day.”
“The winner gave a radiant smile to the cameras, clearly overwhelmed by the unexpected victory.”
03emitted as radiation
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. describing energy that travels in waves, like heat from a heater.
adj. transmitted or emitted by radiation rather than conduction or convection.
“The new heating system uses radiant energy to keep the floors warm.”
“Scientists measured the radiant flux of the star to determine its total energy output over the course of a year.”
Synonyms
04origin of a meteor shower
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Astronomy Technical
n. the point in the sky where a group of shooting stars seems to start.
n. the point in the celestial sphere from which the paths of meteors in a shower appear to originate.
“To see the meteors, look toward the radiant in the constellation Perseus.”
“Observers noted that the radiant of the meteor shower shifted slightly as the Earth moved through the debris field.”
Real-World Examples
“Samuel Beckett’s play is always staged with a radiant brightness.” “He also said putting an e-vehicle near a radiant heat source can cause an explosion.” Etymology
From Middle English radyant, from Latin radiāns, radiantis, present participle of radiāre (“to emit rays or beams”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/radiant