radiance

noun

ra·​di·​ance ˈrā-dē-ən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being radiant

2

: a deep pink

3

: the flux density of radiant energy per unit solid angle and per unit projected area of radiating surface

Synonyms

• brightness
• brilliance
• brilliancy
• candor
• dazzle
• effulgence
• illumination
• lambency
• lightness
• luminance
• luminosity
• luminousness
• luster
• lustre
• lustrousness
• refulgence
• splendor

Examples of radiance in a Sentence

She had a youthful radiance about her.

Her face glowed with radiance.

the radiance of the rising sun

Recent Examples on the Web

Someone with dry skin hoping to achieve a natural radiance might prefer a dewy finish; whereas, someone headed to a red carpet or photoshoot might appreciate a matte finish that blurs the look of pores and counteracts excess oils. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025

Gold powder dishes out a radiance boost, a peptide complex plumps, and vitamin- and enzyme-rich pumpkin extract does its thing to smooth and soothe. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 3 Feb. 2025

Last summer, North Carolina locals were astounded by a rare but entirely natural phenomenon that caused the ocean along the Crystal Coast to sparkle with a brilliant blue radiance that folks previously only associated with places like the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2025

Kingsley attempted to glean in all things, from the greatest of scientific laws to the humblest mollusk, the radiance of a divine glory. —Ben Woollard, JSTOR Daily, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for radiance

• irradiance

Kids Definition

radiance

noun

ra·​di·​ance ˈrād-ē-ən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being radiant