Brilliant: meaning, definitions and examples

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brilliant

[ˈbrɪljənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

intelligence

Exceptionally clever or talented. Marked by outstanding brightness, talent, or intelligence.

Synonyms

bright, clever, genius, intelligent, smart.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brilliant	Use 'brilliant' to describe someone exceptionally talented, intelligent, or outstanding in a particular area. It often carries a positive and impressive connotation. She came up with a brilliant idea that solved the problem instantly The scientist received a brilliant award for his research
clever	Use 'clever' to refer to someone who is quick to understand, learn, or devise intelligent solutions. It often implies practical or crafty intelligence. She found a clever way to fix the broken machine His clever remarks kept everyone entertained
intelligent	Use 'intelligent' to describe someone with a high level of mental ability, reasoning, and understanding. This is a general term for cognitive capability. He is an intelligent person who easily grasps complex concepts The intelligent design of the software impressed everyone
smart	Use 'smart' to describe someone who is clever, quick-thinking, and often resourceful. It is a versatile term that can apply to both practical and academic intelligence. She made a smart decision to invest in that company The smart kid solved the puzzle in no time
genius	Use 'genius' to describe someone with extraordinary intellectual or creative power. This word is reserved for those with exceptional talent or aptitude. Albert Einstein is regarded as a genius in the field of physics The musician's new album was a work of genius
bright	Use 'bright' to describe someone who is quick-witted, intelligent, and often optimistic. It can also refer to a lively or cheerful personality. He's a bright student who always asks insightful questions Her bright attitude makes the workplace a better environment

Examples of usage

She is a brilliant scientist, known for her groundbreaking research.
The students gave a brilliant performance in the school play.
The author's brilliant mind shines through in her writing.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

light

Giving off or reflecting much light; shining. Very bright or vivid.

Synonyms

dazzling, gleaming, luminous, radiant, shining.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brilliant	Describing someone's intelligence or talent, or something that is extremely impressive. She had a brilliant idea that solved all our problems. His performance was simply brilliant.
shining	Referring to something that emits light or glows, often used in a straightforward manner. The stars were shining brightly in the night sky. She has a shining reputation in her field.
radiant	Describing something that is glowing with light or happiness, often used for people or things that emit joy or warmth. The bride looked radiant on her wedding day. The sun was radiant in the clear blue sky.
gleaming	Describing something that is shining with a soft, steady light, often suggesting cleanliness or newness. The freshly polished car was gleaming in the sunlight. Her eyes were gleaming with excitement.
luminous	Emphasizing something that glows softly in the dark, or something that provides light in a gentle way. The watch has a luminous dial that is easy to read in the dark. Her skin looked luminous in the candlelight.
dazzling	Referring to something extremely bright or impressive, often in a blinding or overwhelming way. The necklace had dazzling diamonds. Her smile was dazzling under the spotlights.

Examples of usage

The sun was shining brilliantly in the clear sky.
The diamonds on her necklace sparkled brilliantly in the light.
The fireworks lit up the night sky brilliantly.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

informal

A very bright and intelligent person, typically a child.

Synonyms

gifted child, prodigy, smartypants, whiz kid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
brilliant	Same as above, commonly used for both adults and children to describe outstanding intelligence or talent. A brilliant student, she always scores top marks in exams His brilliant musical performance was jaw-dropping
whiz kid	Used to describe a young person who is exceptionally skilled and successful, particularly in demanding fields like technology, science, or business. The whiz kid developed a new app that is already gaining traction He's the whiz kid of the coding community, solving complex problems with ease
prodigy	Used to describe a young person, typically a child, who has extraordinary abilities or talent in a particular field, like music, mathematics, or sports. Mozart was a musical prodigy, composing music at a very young age The chess prodigy competed against top players while still in elementary school
smartypants	This term is used to describe someone who is perceived as being overly confident or showy about their intelligence. It often has a negative connotation. Stop being such a smartypants and let someone else answer the question The smartypants in the class always tries to make everyone else look dumb
gifted child	This term is used specifically to describe a child who shows exceptional talent or intelligence in one or more areas. It is often used in educational contexts. The school has special programs for gifted children As a gifted child, she excelled in both math and creative writing

Examples of usage

He's a little brilliant - he can already solve complex math problems at his age.
The young girl is a brilliant, always coming up with creative ideas.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'brillare', meaning 'to shine' or 'to be bright'.
Originally, it was used in the context of light and gems, reflecting something that sparkles or shines vividly.

Science

In the field of optics, 'brilliant' is used to describe the intensity and clarity of light, particularly in relation to gemstones that reflect light beautifully.
The term also describes brain function in psychology, where 'brilliant' refers to exceptionally high intelligence and creativity.

Pop Culture

The term is commonly used to describe artists and performers who exhibit extraordinary talent, such as brilliant musicians or actors.
Many famous figures, like Albert Einstein, are often referred to as brilliant due to their groundbreaking work in science.

Literature

In literature, 'brilliant' is frequently used to describe writing styles or characters that exhibit sharp wit and intelligence.
Classic works often portray brilliant characters as either heroes or tragic figures, highlighting the dual nature of great intelligence.

Education

Many educational programs use the term 'brilliant' to encourage students by recognizing and celebrating their superior academic achievements.
Brilliant ideas in education can lead to innovative teaching methods and inspire students to think critically.

Translations

Translations of the word "brilliant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 brilhante

🇮🇳 उज्ज्वल

🇩🇪 brillant

🇮🇩 cemerlang

🇺🇦 блискучий

🇵🇱 błyskotliwy

🇯🇵 輝かしい

🇫🇷 brillant

🇪🇸 brillante

🇹🇷 parlak

🇰🇷 빛나는

🇸🇦 لامع

🇨🇿 brilantní

🇸🇰 brilantný

🇨🇳 辉煌的

🇸🇮 briljanten

🇮🇸 glæsilegur

🇰🇿 жарқыраған

🇬🇪 ბრწყინვალე

🇦🇿 parlaq

🇲🇽 brillante

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,799, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3796 mathematical
3797 finite
3798 everybody
3799 brilliant
3800 presently
3801 wool
3802 producer
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