Radiance: meaning, definitions and examples

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radiance

 

[ˈreɪdiəns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

beauty

The quality or state of being bright or shining, especially in the context of beauty or attractiveness.

Synonyms

brightness, glow, luminosity.

Examples of usage

  • The radiance of the sunset was breathtaking.
  • Her radiance lit up the room.
Context #2 | Noun

happiness

A warm, cheerful quality that is reflected in someone's face or demeanor.

Synonyms

cheerfulness, happiness, joy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
radiance

Typically used to describe a bright light or glow, often symbolizing happiness or beauty. This term is more poetic and visual.

  • Her radiance lit up the room.
  • The radiance of the sun filled the sky.
joy

Refers to a deep and often more intense feeling of great happiness and pleasure. It can describe both momentary feelings and longer-lasting states.

  • The joy of seeing her friend again brought tears to her eyes.
  • He felt pure joy when he held his baby for the first time.
cheerfulness

Describes a state of being happy and optimistic. It is often used to talk about someone's personality or mood.

  • His cheerfulness was contagious.
  • She greeted everyone with cheerfulness every morning.
happiness

A general and broad term used to describe a state of being happy. It can be used in almost any context.

  • Her happiness was evident in her smile.
  • Traveling brings me great happiness.

Examples of usage

  • Her radiance was contagious, spreading joy to everyone around her.
  • The radiance in his eyes showed how happy he was.
Context #3 | Noun

spirituality

An inner glow or aura that is believed to be a sign of spiritual enlightenment or divine presence.

Synonyms

aura, divine light, glow.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
radiance

Radiance is used to describe a bright and shining light, often associated with beauty or brilliance.

  • The radiance of the sunset was breathtaking
  • Her smile had a unique radiance that brightened the room
aura

Aura refers to a distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround a person, place, or thing, often intangible.

  • She had an aura of calmness that put everyone at ease
  • The haunted house had a dark and eerie aura
glow

Glow describes a steady, soft light that can emanate from an object or be a visible sign of warmth or emotion on a person's face.

  • The fire gave off a comforting glow
  • Her face had a warm glow after the workout
divine light

Divine light is used in a spiritual or religious context, referring to light that is holy or godly.

  • The stained glass windows depicted saints bathed in divine light
  • He spoke of a divine light guiding his path in life

Examples of usage

  • The yogi's face shone with a peaceful radiance.
  • The radiance of the saint's presence filled the room.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originates from the Latin 'radiantem', meaning 'to emit rays'.
  • It is linked to 'radius', which refers to rays of light, highlighting its connection to brightness.
  • The transition from Latin to Middle French helped influence the modern English form.

Science

  • In physics, radiance quantifies how much light energy travels in a certain direction per unit area.
  • Radiance plays a crucial role in understanding how heat is transferred from the sun to the earth.
  • In astronomy, celestial bodies are often studied for their radiance to analyze distance and composition.

Art

  • In visual arts, radiance in a painting can evoke emotions by using light to draw attention to certain elements.
  • Artists like Claude Monet often captured the radiance of natural light to create breathtaking landscapes.
  • The concept of radiance is crucial in photography for capturing the perfect lighting effects.

Psychology

  • Radiance can influence mood; brighter environments often improve feelings of happiness and well-being.
  • In psychology, warm colors associated with radiance can evoke feelings of warmth and comfort.
  • People often perceive others who 'radiate' positivity as more attractive and approachable.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often depict characters with a radiant personality as being confident or charismatic.
  • Songs often use the concept of radiance to describe love and joy, symbolizing something that illuminates life.
  • In fashion, vibrant colors and styles are termed 'radiant', reflecting confidence and joy.

Translations

Translations of the word "radiance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 brilho

🇮🇳 प्रभा

🇩🇪 Glanz

🇮🇩 cahaya

🇺🇦 сяйво

🇵🇱 blask

🇯🇵 光輝

🇫🇷 éclat

🇪🇸 resplandor

🇹🇷 parlaklık

🇰🇷 광채

🇸🇦 تألق

🇨🇿 záře

🇸🇰 žiarivosť

🇨🇳 光辉

🇸🇮 sijaj

🇮🇸 ljómi

🇰🇿 жарқырау

🇬🇪 ბზინვარება

🇦🇿 parıltı

🇲🇽 resplandor

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,980, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.