Brilliant
/ˈbrɪljənt/
Definitions
2 meaningsShowing exceptional intelligence or talent.
/ˈbrɪljənt/
Exceptionally intelligent or talented.
His brilliant performance won him the award.
💡 Simply: Very smart or talented.
More Examples
That's a brilliant idea!
How It's Used
"She's a brilliant student with a remarkable aptitude for mathematics."
"The artist's use of light and shadow created a brilliant masterpiece."
Shining intensely; full of light.
/ˈbrɪljənt/
Shining brightly; intensely bright.
The sunset was brilliant.
💡 Simply: Very bright and shiny.
More Examples
She wore a brilliant red dress.
How It's Used
"The brilliant sun shone down on the beach."
From Middle French *brillant, present participle of briller "to shine", from Old French *briller, from Vulgar Latin *berilliare, from Latin beryllus "beryl", from Greek βήρυλλος (bēryllos).
The word's association with 'shining' predates its use to describe intelligence.
Memory tip
Think of a brilliant diamond - sparkling and exceptional.