Brilliant Meaning
/ˈbɹɪljənt/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjShining brightly.
adjBoth bright and saturated.
Sentence Examples
Shine on my brilliant soul.
Russell was a brilliant philosopher, but even the simplest practical task was quite beyond him.
Roger made some brilliant catches at today's game.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist had a ____ idea for a new renewable energy source.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She had a ____ idea to solve the complex problem during the meeting.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
""Thing is," Anahita resumed, and then, faltering, "Mean to say, well, we just think it's great." — "You, she means," Mishal corrected. "We think you're, you know." — "Brilliant," Anahita said and dazzled the bewildered Chamcha with a smile. "Magic. You know. Extreme.""
— 1988, Salman Rushdie, chapter V, in The Satanic Verses, page 268:
"This snuffbox — on the hinge see brilliants shine."
— 1717, Alexander Pope, The Basset-Table:
"On the one, a plain massive band which matched the collar; on the other, a serpent; the tail reached nearly to the elbow, and the head rose a little from the wrist; the tongue of a ruby, the eyes of large brilliants."
— 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XXII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume I, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 257:
""And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sparkled upon his finger."
— 1891 [September], A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Adventure III.—A Case of Identity.”, in Geo[rge] Newnes, editor, The Strand Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly, volume II (July to December), number [9], London: […], page 248, column 2:
"In short, the diamond owed more to being brillianted and polished, and well set, than to any intrinsic worth or solidity."
— 1851, The Western Literary Messenger, page 256:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist had a ____ idea for a new renewable energy source.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She had a ____ idea to solve the complex problem during the meeting.