Word
radiative
Phoneticsra·dia·tive
Definition
adj. relating to energy that moves in rays or waves, like light or heat. You use it to talk about heat or light that travels without touching anything.
adj. relating to emission, transmission, or effects of electromagnetic radiation or nuclear decay. Often describes heat transfer through infrared radiation rather than conduction or convection.
Examples
“The sun gives off radiative heat that warms your skin.”
“Engineers add a shiny foil layer to the roof to block radiative heat from the summer sun.”
“Climate models treat increased carbon dioxide as a change in radiative forcing, trapping more outgoing infrared energy and gradually raising global temperatures.”
Examples
simple
“The sun gives off radiative heat that warms your skin.”
contextual
“Engineers add a shiny foil layer to the roof to block radiative heat from the summer sun.”
complex
“Climate models treat increased carbon dioxide as a change in radiative forcing, trapping more outgoing infrared energy and gradually raising global temperatures.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “radiative” in context.
Verb
01. become radiative
“The plasma becomes radiative as it cools below ten thousand degrees.”
verb + adj
02. depend on radiative
“Desert nights depend on radiative cooling to lose daytime heat.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
03. highly radiative
“The metal coating is highly radiative and releases heat quickly at night.”
adv + adj
04. purely radiative
“In this model, heat flow is purely radiative with no conduction.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. radiative balance
“Earth maintains a delicate radiative balance of incoming and outgoing energy.”
adj + noun
06. radiative cooling
“Clear skies allow strong radiative cooling after sunset.”
adj + noun
07. radiative equilibrium
“Without convection, the atmosphere would reach radiative equilibrium.”
adj + noun
08. calculate net radiative flux
“The team calculates net radiative flux from satellite observations.”
09. enhance radiative cooling
“White roofs enhance radiative cooling and lower city temperatures.”
10. maintain radiative equilibrium
“The stratosphere maintains radiative equilibrium through ozone absorption.”
11. model radiative transfer
“Researchers model radiative transfer to improve weather forecasts.”
12. net radiative forcing
“Halving emissions would cut net radiative forcing within decades.”
Real-World Examples
“Radiative cooling (RC) technologies channel excess heat into outer space or cooler environments, potentially mitigating high temperatures in the built environment.” “You can use the temperature difference between a colder radiative cooling panel and the hotter ground to generate power with a thermoelectric generator.” Related words
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/radiative