# radiative

CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/radiative
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.