radiate

[ verb rey-dee-eyt; adjective rey-dee-it, -eyt ]

verb (used without object)

, ra·di·at·ed, ra·di·at·ing.

1. to extend, spread, or move like rays or radii from a center.
2. to emit rays, as of light or heat; irradiate.
3. to issue or proceed in rays.
4. (of persons) to project or glow with cheerfulness, joy, etc.:

   She simply radiates with good humor.

verb (used with object)

, ra·di·at·ed, ra·di·at·ing.

1. to emit in rays; disseminate, as from a center.
2. (of persons) to project (joy, goodwill, etc.).

adjective

1. radiating from a center.
2. having rays extending from a central point or part:

   a coin showing a radiate head.

3. radiating symmetrically.

radiate

verb

1. Alsoeradiate to emit (heat, light, or some other form of radiation) or (of heat, light, etc) to be emitted as radiation
2. intr (of lines, beams, etc) to spread out from a centre or be arranged in a radial pattern
3. tr (of a person) to show (happiness, health, etc) to a great degree

adjective

1. having rays; radiating
2. (of a capitulum) consisting of ray florets
3. (of animals or their parts) showing radial symmetry
4. adorned or decorated with rays

   a radiate head on a coin

Other Words From

• radi·a·ble adjective
• radi·a·bili·ty radi·a·ble·ness noun
• radi·a·bly radi·ate·ly adverb
• anti·radi·ating adjective
• inter·radi·ate verb (used without object) interradiated interradiating
• multi·radi·ate adjective
• multi·radi·ated adjective
• non·radi·ating adjective
• re·radi·ate verb reradiated reradiating
• sub·radi·ate adjective
• un·radi·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of radiate¹

First recorded in 1610–20, radiate is from the Latin word radiātus (past participle of radiāre to radiate light, shine). See radiant, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of radiate¹

C17: from Latin radiāre to emit rays

Example Sentences

Give yourself the same love back and that’s going to radiate.

From Los Angeles Times

Moreover, a firestorm can radiate heat so intense that it becomes impossible for firefighters to operate in its vicinity.

From Los Angeles Times

The staff at the Salvamont headquarters, Romania’s mountain rescue service, radiate calm and efficiency.

From BBC

In “Helter Skelter,” his account of the Manson murders, prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi wrote that Fromme wore a perpetual smile, possessed a “little-girl quality” and seemed to radiate an “inner contentment” that reminded him of a religious fanatic.

From Los Angeles Times

As humans continue to burn fossil fuels, we release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, nitrous oxide that trap heat that would otherwise radiate back out of the planet's atmosphere.

From Salon

Related Words

• beam
• diffuse
• diverge
• emanate
• emit
• gleam
• light up
• shine
• transmit