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

I have just mentioned Niels Andersen, and this good figure, at once so droll and so lovable, emerges all riant in my memory.

From Project Gutenberg

Vā′riant, a different form of the same original word: a different reading, e.g. in a manuscript.—adj. diverse, variable, inconstant.—At variance, in disagreement.

From Project Gutenberg

She sauntered on in an arch and riant humor.

From Project Gutenberg

Everything is riant, stirring, singing, in the world that I behold from my balcony.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg