riant

American  

[rahy-uhnt, ree-, ryahn] / ˈraɪ ənt, ˈri-, ryɑ̃ /

adjective

1. laughing; smiling; cheerful.

   She exuded good humor, with her riant brown eyes, curly, flyaway hair, and madcap grin.

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riant British  

/ ˈraɪənt /

adjective

1. rare laughing; smiling; cheerful

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Other Word Forms

• riantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of riant

First recorded in 1560–70; from French, “smiling, laughing,” adjective use of present participle of rire “to laugh,” from Latin rīdēre; rident ( def. ), -ant

Example Sentences

These poems almost equal Holmes's for rich and riant humor.

From John Greenleaf Whittier His Life, Genius, and Writings by Kennedy, W. Sloane

"Un aspect riant et fertile" and "a pleasing and fertile appearance" are identical terms.

From Terre Napoleón; a History of French Explorations and Projects in Australia by Scott, Ernest

Her hair was the real classic gold, and her grey eyes were riant with health and content.

From Hoosier Mosaics by Thompson, Maurice

She was so riant and chic and trim; He was so shaggy, unkempt and grim.

From Ballads of a Bohemian by Service, Robert W. (Robert William)

Le noble espoir, La fleur de ce pays—le plus riant miroir De la mode toujours;—le plus parfait modèle De gout;—des observes la plus fine dentelle— Entièrement à bas! oui, sans ressource à bas!

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. 12, No. 32, November, 1873 by Various