English

radiant

gb/ɹˈeɪdiənt/ us/ɹˈeɪdiənt/
B1 English
~ 5000
Senses
0 senses
adjective B1 property
1

emitting bright light or heat

Giving out bright light or heat.

Usage pattern: [something] is radiant
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'radiant' with 'radioactive'; 'radiant' refers to light or heat, not radiation hazards.
Synonyms
luminous (Suggests steady, glowing light, often softer than 'radiant'.) | brilliant (Implies intense brightness, sometimes dazzling.)
Antonyms
dim (Lacking brightness or intensity of light.) | dull (Not bright, shining, or vivid.)
Collocations
radiant light |radiant heat |radiant energy |radiant sun
Themes
science |nature |daily life
Examples
  • The radiant sun warmed the beach.
  • Her face was lit by the radiant glow of the campfire.
  • The lamp emitted a radiant beam across the room.
  • Radiant heat filled the small cabin.
  • The diamond sparkled with radiant brilliance.
Learner examples
  • The sun is radiant in the morning.
  • A fire is radiant at night.
  • The lamp is radiant in the dark.
  • The heater gives radiant warmth.
adjective B1 property
2

looking very happy and healthy

Looking very happy and healthy.

Usage pattern: [someone] is radiant
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'radiant' here means 'bright in color', but it refers to expression and appearance.
Synonyms
beaming (Suggests a broad, joyful smile or expression.) | glowing (Often implies health, happiness, or satisfaction visible on the face.)
Antonyms
gloomy (Looking unhappy or depressed.) | haggard (Looking tired and unhealthy.)
Collocations
radiant smile |radiant bride |radiant face
Themes
emotions |daily life |health
Examples
  • She looked radiant on her wedding day.
  • His radiant smile lit up the room.
  • After the good news, she was positively radiant.
  • The child was radiant with excitement.
  • He appeared radiant after his recovery.
Learner examples
  • She is radiant with joy.
  • The bride is radiant.
  • He is radiant after the win.
  • Her face is radiant today.
adjective technical B2 property
3

related to radiation energy transfer

About energy moving as waves or rays, not by touch or movement of air.

Synonyms
emissive (Technical term for emitting radiation or light.)
Antonyms
conductive (Refers to energy transfer by direct contact, not radiation.)
Collocations
radiant energy |radiant flux |radiant emission
Themes
science |physics
Examples
  • Radiant heat travels through space without heating the air first.
  • Solar panels capture radiant energy from sunlight.
  • Radiant transfer is important in thermal engineering.
Learner examples
  • The sun sends radiant energy to Earth.
  • A fire gives radiant heat.
  • Radiant heat moves without air.
Grammar
Dictionary form
radiant
IPA
GB/ɹˈeɪdiənt/
US/ɹˈeɪdiənt/
Syllables & stress
ra - di - ant (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ra)
Word forms
Adjective
  • Base: radiant
Word family
Core family
radiance noun B2 radiantly adverb radiate verb B2
Related words
radiation noun B1 radiator noun B1
Advanced or less common
irradiate verb radiative adjective
Expressions

radiant smile

1
/ɹˈeɪdiənt smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase

very bright and happy smile

A big, happy smile that seems full of light.

Examples
  • His radiant smile made everyone feel welcome.
  • She greeted us with a radiant smile.

radiant with joy

1
/ɹˈeɪdiənt wˈɪθ d͡ʒˈɔɪ/
fixed phrase

looking very happy because of joy

Looking very happy because something good happened.

Examples
  • She was radiant with joy after hearing the news.
  • The parents were radiant with joy at their child's success.

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