brilliant

IPA/ˈbrɪliənt/
KK[brˈɪljənt]IPA/ˈbrɪliənt/

brilliant — adjective

  • brilliantpositive
  • more brilliantcomparative
  • most brilliantsuperlative

1. so good that it strongly impresses or pleases people.

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

so good that it strongly impresses or pleases people.

Example

The goalkeeper made a brilliant save in the final minute.

brilliant + sporting action

We had a brilliant holiday near the sea last August.

brilliant + experience

Common collocations
  • brilliant job
  • brilliant show
  • brilliant save
  • brilliant holiday
  • brilliant performance
Synonyms
  • excellent

    slightly more formal and common in evaluations

  • great

    broader and more casual

  • outstanding

    suggests being better than others in the group

  • superb

    strong praise, often with a polished tone

Antonyms

Usage Note

Common with performances, experiences, ideas, and results. Distinguish from sense 2 (INTELLIGENT): this sense gives broad praise, even when no clever thinking is involved.

Common Mistakes

Our picnic was brilliantly.
Our picnic was brilliant.
use the adjective after 'be', not the adverb.
We had a very brilliant time.
We had a brilliant time.
'brilliant' is already strong enough on its own.

2. showing an unusually high level of intelligence or skill.

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

showing an unusually high level of intelligence or skill.

Example

Aiko solved the last maths problem with a brilliant shortcut.

brilliant + clever solution

The whole class copied Bao's brilliant answer on the science quiz.

brilliant + answer

Common collocations
  • brilliant mind
  • brilliant answer
  • brilliant move
  • brilliant scientist
  • brilliant at maths
Synonyms
  • clever

    everyday word for quick intelligence

  • gifted

    stresses natural ability

  • ingenious

    best for ideas or solutions that are cleverly designed

  • talented

    focuses more on skill, especially in arts or sport

Antonyms
  • dim

    informal word for not quick in understanding

  • incompetent

    used when the problem is lack of skill rather than lack of intelligence

Grammar Patterns

brilliant at + subject/activity

Usage Note

Usually used when intelligence or skill is the reason for the praise. Distinguish from sense 1 (VERY GOOD), which can praise a show, trip, meal, or result without focusing on cleverness.

Common Mistakes

Mika is brilliant in maths.
Mika is brilliant at maths.
after 'brilliant', use 'at' for a subject or skill area.
The teacher said my plan was very brilliant.
The teacher said my plan was brilliant.
'brilliant' is already a strong word, so 'very' often sounds unnatural.

3. sending out a lot of light, or showing a strong clear colour.

3.adjectiveB1
Definition

sending out a lot of light, or showing a strong clear colour.

Example

The moon looked brilliant above the dark fishing boats.

brilliant + light source

Greta wore a brilliant orange coat on the grey winter street.

brilliant + vivid colour

Common collocations
  • brilliant light
  • brilliant red
  • brilliant sunshine
  • brilliant sky
  • brilliant jewel
Synonyms
  • bright

    the most general word for strong light

  • dazzling

    suggests light so strong that it is hard to look at

  • vivid

    used mainly for colours rather than light

  • glittering

    stresses many small points of reflected light

Antonyms
  • dim

    not giving much light

  • dull

    not bright in colour or shine

Usage Note

Most often used with nouns for light, colour, jewels, or the sky. Distinguish from sense 1 (VERY GOOD): here 'brilliant' describes what the eye sees, not how successful something is.

Common Mistakes

She wore a brilliant black coat.
She wore a brilliant red coat.
this sense fits vivid colours or strong light, not dark shades.

brilliant — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

For sense 1, 'brilliant' is strong everyday praise. 'Excellent' is slightly more formal and fits school or work feedback well, as in an excellent report. 'Great' is broader and more casual, so it works naturally for a great weekend or a great meal. 'Outstanding' sounds more evaluative and suggests being better than others in the same group, such as an outstanding player. 'Superb' is polished and often appears in reviews of food, music, or craft. A brilliant holiday can simply mean you enjoyed it a lot, while an outstanding holiday sounds more judged against a high standard. Compare: 'You did a brilliant job on the poster' and 'The teacher wrote excellent comments on the essay.'

brilliant ↗excellent ↗great ↗outstanding ↗superb ↗

Etymology

FrenchEnglish

'Brilliant' came into English from French 'brillant', meaning 'shining', from the verb 'briller', 'to shine'. It first described things that gave back a strong light, especially cut diamonds. English later extended the word from physical brightness to bright minds, and then to anything judged extremely good. That history helps explain why one word can link light, intelligence, and excellence.