radiate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'radiate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that emits light or heat, or to describe a feeling of happiness or contentment. Example sentence: The setting sun radiated a beautiful pink hue over the horizon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Noyce said she had the ability to "radiate light, to radiate energy".

The Guardian - Film

He did his duty by Ed Miliband by saying that he expected Labour to win, but it is fair to say that Mr Cook did not exactly radiate confidence that his party is storming to victory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Damning Miliband with porcine satire seems – like the Daily Mail's exposé of his "Britain-hating" Jewish émigré father – to radiate some nasty connotations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their faces are blank and baffled by the scale of the step they are taking while their bodies radiate the pinched exhaustion of people who have no choice.

The Guardian - Arts

Tweaking the processor's heat sinks (copper or aluminium boxes designed to radiate heat away) has reached its limit.

The Economist

The idea that everything good should radiate from the top downwards has had the effect of blunting popular pressure for widespread benefits.

The Economist

The better ones radiate a sense of stability.

The Economist

The changing magnetic field would force the electrons to oscillate, too, but would not allow them to radiate heat.

The Economist

Beds are offered inside, but the hosts advise their new friends to join them on blankets on the sand, under the stars, as the haimas still radiate heat at night.Mornings are filled with workshops led by some of Western Sahara's most powerful advocates, including the Spanish lawyers who have brought a case against 11 Moroccan officials, accusing them of genocide.

The Economist

But the 480 high-speed trains (Trains à Grande Vitesse, or TGV) that radiate around France from Paris are struggling to remain in the black.

The Economist

As a piqued Clive Crook put it, writing for Bloomberg View:A line has been crossed when the principal spokesmen for contending opinions have no curiosity whatsoever about their opponents' ideas and radiate cold, steady contempt for each other.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, ensure the context clearly indicates what they are radiating (e.g., heat, light).

Common error

Avoid using "radiate" when a simpler verb like "reflect" or "shine" is more appropriate. "Radiate" implies emission, not just bouncing light or sound.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "radiate" is as a verb, indicating the action of emitting energy or a quality outward. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing both physical phenomena (like heat) and intangible attributes (like confidence).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis, incorporating Ludwig AI's assessment that "radiate" is correct and usable, reveals that "radiate" functions primarily as a verb describing the act of emitting something outward. This emission can be literal, such as heat or light, or figurative, such as confidence or negativity. "Radiate" enjoys very common usage across a spectrum of registers, particularly in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When using "radiate", be sure to distinguish it from similar terms like "reflect" and ensure the context aligns with the sense of outward emission.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emit

Focuses specifically on the act of giving off something, often energy or light.

spread

Emphasizes the dispersal or distribution of something over a wider area.

give off

An informal way to say emit.

exude

Implies a strong and obvious display of a quality or feeling.

beam

Suggests the emission of light, often in a focused direction.

shine

Highlights the emission of light with brilliance.

project

Implies sending something outward or displaying it prominently.

express

Focuses on conveying a feeling or thought.

diffuse

Suggests a gradual and even spreading out.

irradiate

Implies exposure to radiation, either literally or metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "radiate" in a sentence?

You can use "radiate" to describe something emitting energy, like "The sun "radiates heat"", or to describe a person emitting a feeling, like "She "radiates confidence"".

What are some synonyms for "radiate"?

Alternatives to "radiate" include "emit", "spread", "exude", and "shine", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say someone "radiates negativity"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. You can use "radiate" to describe the emanation of negative feelings or energy. The sentence "He "radiates negativity"" suggests he is giving off a strong negative vibe.

What is the difference between "radiate" and "reflect"?

"Radiate" means to emit energy or qualities outward, while "reflect" means to bounce back energy or qualities from a surface. The sun "radiates light"; a mirror "reflects light".