radiate

[rey-dee-eyt, rey-dee-it, -eyt]

verb (used without object)

radiated, radiating 

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)

radiated, radiating 

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. Also: eradiate. 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 Word Forms

• radiable adjective
• radiability noun
• radiableness noun
• radiably adverb
• radiately adverb
• antiradiating adjective
• interradiate verb (used without object)
• multiradiate adjective
• multiradiated adjective
• nonradiating adjective
• reradiate verb
• subradiate adjective
• unradiated 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

The movie radiates the spare, rugged poetry of a short story or a John Prine song.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Maybe it was Michael’s imagination, but it felt like the air radiated with shared nervousness, like they were both jumpy and scared, even though they were just standing there, watching and waiting.

Read more on Literature

"It is obvious that the painting radiates his admiration," he said.

Read more on Barron's

When a strong light is trained on it, however, that image is projected onto a wall to reveal Amida standing on a lotus blossom and radiating beams of light.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They radiate through Earth’s mantle and core, having little effect on Earth’s surface.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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