brilliant

CEFRA2

/ˈbɹɪljənt/

noun · adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    Extremely clever, bright, or impressive.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    Both bright and saturated.

Examples

  • Roger made some brilliant catches at today's game.

  • Russell was a brilliant philosopher, but even the simplest practical task was quite beyond him.

At a glance

Sits at A2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /ˈbɹɪ(l)jənt/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meaning

  1. Having a sharp, clear tone.

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Shining brightly.

  2. Of surpassing excellence; magnificent.

More examples

In context

  • Shine on my brilliant soul.

  • The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant.

  • butterflies with brilliant blue wings

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The scientist had a blank idea for a new renewable energy source.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

Borrowed from French brillant (late 17th century), present participle of the verb briller, from Italian brillare, possibly from Latin berillus, beryllus (“a beryl, gem, eyeglass”), from Ancient Greek βήρυλλος (bḗrullos, “beryl”). By surface analysis, French brill(er) + -i- + -ant.