French word

rayonner

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁɛjone/

Meaning

  • verbshine

Example

Le soleil rayonne ce matin.

The sun is shining this morning.

Illustration for rayonner (shine)

More examples

Elle rayonne de bonheur après la naissance de son fils.

She is glowing with happiness after the birth of her son.

Core concept

A bright center sending light, joy, or beauty outward to its surroundings.

Common phrases

  • rayonner de bonheur

    glow with happiness

  • rayonner de santé

    radiate health

Similar words

briller: To emit light and shine brightly.
émaner: To emanate from a central source, especially as a scent or atmosphere.
se dégager: To give off an impression or smell that others can sense.

Definition in French

Manifester une énergie, une joie ou une beauté qui paraît se répandre autour, comme si l'on envoyait des rayons.

Word origin

French rayonner is formed from rayon with the verb ending -er, while rayon comes through Old French from Latin radius, meaning a spoke or ray.

Usage tips

  • With a person, rayonner commonly takes de before the quality expressed, as in rayonner de confiance or rayonner de joie.

Other meanings

  • radiateverb

Opposites

  • s'éteindrego outverb
  • s'assombrirdarkenverb

Related words

Word lists with this word