radiant

USAGE SUMMARY

'radiant' is a perfectly acceptable word in written English.
It is used as an adjective to describe something that is bright and glowing, both physically and metaphorically. For example, you could say "The bride was radiant in her white gown".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Life was usually hurrying me to somewhere else, as it is now, but this time being cooped up in a sweltering car on such a radiant late spring day is just too much.

The Guardian

Beyond the beach lay shallow waters of radiant turquoise.

The Guardian - Business

The next morning, I was suitably prepared for a bike ride to salt-flat oases where I watched flamingoes, white except for the radiant pink on the underside of their wings, feeding on the tiny creatures that dwell in the crystal-cool oases.

The Guardian - Travel

And you, reader, you look radiant too, all unwashed and death-breathed and hungover.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The authors also correlated the observed temperatures, the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, and the flow of radiant energy to explore how they affect each other.

The Guardian

Skyrim's Radiant system creates slightly more complex dynamic quests which react to specific player inventories and abilities, which at least gives the illusion of presence and agency in the world.

The Guardian - Tech

I long for the good old days, when our pop princesses had to at least be born to host the MTV Awards, and our gifted DNA strands played sports simply for the joy of it, in neighbourhood parks, radiant smiles of joy on their nucleotides.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her husband gives her so much affection and respect that she always looks like a radiant bride," she said.

The Guardian

This was the beginning of the legendary period of prodigious, radiant creativity.

The Economist

Even in the vast, gloomy room in which they are displayed (light is the enemy of paper), the cartoons are radiant.

The Economist

The religious language was entirely radiant and mysterious but it was unquestioned.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "radiant" to describe not only physical light but also inner joy or beauty to add depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "radiant" interchangeably with "radiative" in scientific writing. "Radiant" generally describes appearance, while "radiative" relates to the physical process of radiation.

Linguistic Context

Radiant primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something emitting light, heat, or expressing great happiness and beauty. Ludwig examples showcase its use across diverse contexts, from describing the sun to a person's appearance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

12%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "radiant" is a versatile adjective effectively used to describe both physical light and inner joy. Ludwig's AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very common in written English, especially in news and media contexts. While it can add elegance to writing, it should be used carefully in technical fields to avoid confusion with "radiative". Consider alternatives like "shining brightly" or "beaming with joy" for specific nuances. With a strong source quality score and expert rating, using "radiant" can enhance your writing by conveying brightness and positive emotions effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shining brightly

Focuses specifically on the act of emitting light intensely.

beaming with joy

Emphasizes the expression of happiness through a glowing appearance.

glowing with health

Highlights a healthy and vibrant appearance.

effulgent

A more formal and literary synonym for radiating light.

luminous

Focuses on the emission of light, often in a soft or gentle way.

resplendent

Suggests a dazzling and impressive brightness.

vibrant

Emphasizes energy and liveliness rather than light itself.

gleaming

Implies a bright and reflective shine.

brimming with happiness

Highlights overflowing joy and contentment.

full of light

A simpler way to describe emitting light.

FAQs

How can I use "radiant" in a sentence?

Use "radiant" to describe something emitting light or someone displaying great happiness. For example, "The sun was radiant" or "She looked radiant on her wedding day".

What are some synonyms for "radiant"?

Alternatives include "shining brightly", "beaming with joy", or "glowing with health", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it correct to say someone is "radiant with anger"?

While "radiant" usually implies positive emotions, it can be used metaphorically to describe intense emotions, though it's less common. Consider alternatives like "fuming with anger" for more clarity.

What's the difference between "radiant" and "luminous"?

"Radiant" suggests emitting light or heat, while "luminous" focuses more on emitting a soft or gentle light. "Radiant" can also describe joy or beauty, which "luminous" typically doesn't.