Definition

In a manner that relates to or involves the emission of radiation from unstable atomic nuclei.

Example

The area was contaminated and is still radioactively unsafe for human habitation.

Conversation

Did you hear about the experiment they did with that material?

Yeah, I read they tested it radioactively to see the effects.

That's kind of scary, right?

Definitely! It's amazing how much we still don’t know about radiation.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Radioactively → It is formed from "radio-" (from Latin *radius*, meaning ray) and "active" (from Latin *activus*, meaning having the power to act). The word describes something that emits rays and has the power to act or produce effects, particularly in the context of nuclear reactions.

Memory Tip

Think of 'rays' ('radio-') that are 'active' — this helps you remember that 'radioactively' refers to something that emits rays and has active effects.

Visually Confused Words