radiant

adjective ra·di·ant \ ˈrā-dē-ənt \

Definition of radiant

1 a :radiating rays or reflecting beams of light

b :vividly bright and shining :glowing

2 :marked by or expressive of love, confidence, or happiness

a radiant smile

3 a :emitted or transmitted by radiation

b :emitting or relating to radiant heat

—

radiantly

adverb

See radiant defined for English-language learners

See radiant defined for kids

Examples of radiant in a Sentence

She had a radiant inner glow.
She looked radiant at her wedding.

Recent Examples of radiant from the Web

Their interwoven voices serve as the radiant heart of their folk tunes.

— jeff milo, Detroit Free Press, "Arts, Beats & Eats: 10 local acts you shouldn't miss," 30 Aug. 2017
Staying safe and slip-free is the number one reason to install a snow melting system, but other benefits include: Added home resale value similar to indoor radiant heated floors.

— timothy dahl, Popular Mechanics, "Let a Snow Melting System Do the Work For You This Winter," 23 Aug. 2017
A communiqué that was a part of the bond that mothers have, one that was brought up by the radiant shame one must feel when your son has wreaked unforgivable havoc on another mother's child.

— rachel kaadzi ghansah, GQ, "A Most American Terrorist: The Making of Dylann Roof," 21 Aug. 2017
Actress Carice van Houten (known for her role as Melisandre in Game of Thrones) relies on this facial spray for radiant on-screen skin.

— bella gerard, Health.com, "The Hydrating Facial Spray That Gives This 'Game of Thrones' Star Glowy Skin," 10 Aug. 2017
In an article posted at the 38 North website, Mr. Elleman said the video showed the re-entry vehicle shedding small radiant objects at an altitude of 4 to 5 kilometers (2.5 to 3 miles).

— kim tong-hyung, The Christian Science Monitor, "Footage leads analysts to question robustness of North Korean ICBM," 1 Aug. 2017
Brown praised the quality of the construction, the radiant floor heat, high-quality fixtures and his $1,350 monthly rent.

— zaz hollander, Alaska Dispatch News, "Mat-Su developers say ‘4-plexes’ on acre lots are good for buyers — but others raise concern about sewage," 30 July 2017
Scenic designer Brian Sidney Bembridge uses a dramatic, rolling ring of scaffolds and a radiant backdrop.

— hugh hunter, Philly.com, "Bet you don't know this Three Musketeers story," 16 July 2017
The subtly dazzling guitars can break loose into some sweet shredding, but the radiant, soulful harmonies of singers Leah Woods and Julia Stephenson are the heart of the group.

— jeff milo, Detroit Free Press, "8 must-see musical performances at Pig & Whiskey in Ferndale," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'radiant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of radiant

15th century

radiant Synonyms

Synonyms

aglow, beaming, bright, glowing, sunny

Antonyms

dim, dull, lackluster, unbright, unbrilliant

Related Words

brilliant, dazzling, effulgent, gleaming, luminous, refulgent, shining, starry; blithe, blithesome, bright, cheerful, cheery, chipper, gay, gladsome, lightsome, merry, mirthful, optimistic, upbeat; jocund, jovial, laughing, smiling; blooming, rosy; blissful, chuffed [British], delighted, gratified, happy, joyful, joyous, pleased, satisfied, thankful, tickled

Near Antonyms

blank, flat, listless, stoic (or stoical), unemotional; black, dark, darkening, depressing, dismal, gloomy, glum, gray (also grey), melancholy, sullen; frowning, glaring, glowering, lowering (also louring), scowling

Synonym Discussion of radiant

bright, brilliant, radiant, luminous, lustrous mean shining or glowing with light. bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light. brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness. radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light. luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness. lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

radiant

noun

Definition of radiant

:something that radiates: such as

a :a point in the heavens at which the visible paths of meteors appear to meet when traced backward

b :the part of a gas or electric heater that becomes incandescent

First Known Use of radiant

circa 1741

RADIANT Defined for English Language Learners

radiant

adjective

Definition of radiant for English Language Learners

: having or showing an attractive quality of happiness, love, health, etc.
: bright and shining
: sent out from something in rays or waves that you cannot see

RADIANT Defined for Kids

radiant

adjective ra·di·ant \ ˈrā-dē-ənt \

Definition of radiant for Students

1 :giving out or reflecting rays of light

the radiant sun

2 :glowing with love, confidence, or joy

a radiant smile

3 :transmitted by radiation

Medical Dictionary

radiant

adjective ra·di·ant \ ˈrād-ē-ənt \

medical Definition of radiant

1 :emitted or transmitted by radiation

2 :emitting or relating to radiant heat

Learn More about radiant

See words that rhyme with radiant Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for radiant Spanish Central: Translation of radiant Nglish: Translation of radiant for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of radiant for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about radiant

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up radiant? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

radiant

Definition of radiant

radiantly

Explore Merriam-Webster

Examples of radiant in a Sentence

Recent Examples of radiant from the Web

First Known Use of radiant

radiant Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of radiant

radiant

Definition of radiant

First Known Use of radiant

RADIANT Defined for English Language Learners

radiant

Definition of radiant for English Language Learners

RADIANT Defined for Kids

radiant

Definition of radiant for Students

Medical Dictionary

radiant

medical Definition of radiant

Learn More about radiant

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066