brilliant

1 of 2

adjective

bril·​liant ˈbril-yənt 

1

: very bright : glittering

a brilliant light

2

a

: striking, distinctive

a brilliant example

b

: distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness

brilliant scientists

3

British : very good : excellent

brilliantly adverb

brilliant

2 of 2

noun

: a gem (such as a diamond) cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to have special brightness or brilliance

Illustration of brilliant

• 1 table
• 2 bezel
• 3 girdle
• 4 pavilion
• 5 culet

Synonyms

Adjective

• dazzling
• luminous
• shining
• glowing
• bright
• shiny
• splendid
• radiant

Noun

• gem
• jewel
• rock [slang]

Choose the Right Synonym for brilliant

bright, brilliant, radiant, luminous, lustrous mean shining or glowing with light.

bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light.

brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness.

radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light.

luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness.

lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without glittering.

Examples of brilliant in a Sentence

Adjective

a brilliant star in the sky

a store decorated in brilliant colors

He pitched a brilliant game.

She gave a brilliant performance.

She has a brilliant mind.

Noun

the diamond cutter set out an array of brilliants to show the various ways the diamond could be cut

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

When Ten Hag first arrived at United, there was plenty of talk around his brilliant Ajax team of 2018-19, which reached the Champions League semi-final and beat Real Madrid and Juventus on the way. —Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025

In Penn State’s season-opening 46-11 win over Nevada on Saturday, Allar was brilliant, completing 22-of-26 passes for 217 yards, one TD and no interceptions. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025

Mottley's prose is brilliant, and this is a story you’re guaranteed to hold close to your heart. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

Most of the Midwest is expected to see brilliant light shows of reds, yellows and orange leaves this fall, but the window to see them in some places might be shorter and earlier in 2025. —John Tufts, IndyStar, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French brillant, present participle of briller to shine, from Italian brillare

Noun

borrowed from French brillant, noun derivative of brillant brilliant entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1690, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for brilliant

• resilient

Kids Definition

brilliant

1 of 2 adjective

bril·​liant ˈbril-yənt 

1

: flashing with light : very bright

brilliant jewels

2

a

: very impressive

a brilliant career

b

: very smart or clever

a brilliant student

a brilliant idea

brilliantly adverb

brilliant

2 of 2 noun

: a gem (as a diamond) cut so as to sparkle