brilliant

adjective

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bril·liant | \ ˈbril-yənt

Definition of brilliant

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : very bright : glittering a brilliant light

2a : striking, distinctive a brilliant example

b : distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness brilliant scientists

3 British : very good : excellent

brilliant

noun

Definition of brilliant (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from brilliant Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About brilliant

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Choose the Right Synonym for brilliant

Adjective

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 So heartbroken by the loss of Marc Pilcher, the brilliant and visionary Hair and Makeup designer for Bridgerton Season One. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 4 Oct. 2021 These are brilliant radio stars — beacons that pulse regularly — which were initially misinterpreted as signatures of intelligent alien life! — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Oct. 2021 Currently president emeritus of UT Southwestern Medical Center, Wildenthal said his brother was a brilliant physicist with an appetite for learning. — Dallas News, 3 Oct. 2021 Jackson leapt and made a brilliant one-handed grab. — Steve Kroner, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Oct. 2021 Helen Hoang has done a brilliant job in portraying the various aspects of autism spectrum in a sensitive manner. — Marie Claire, 2 Oct. 2021 The fall colors occur when the chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down and ceases to mask the carotenes and xanthophyll pigments, which produce the brilliant colors. — Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Oct. 2021 Speaking of which… Brad's brilliant idea this week was to essentially record a terrible cover version of Tony Vlachos' Greatest Hits and spy on JD and Ricard at the water well. — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 30 Sep. 2021 What if this work isn’t just visually brilliant, but also a document of the closet, and its corrosive effect over time? — Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'brilliant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.