English Dictionary

BRILLIANT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does brilliant mean? 

BRILLIANT (adjective)
  The adjective BRILLIANT has 6 senses:

1. of surpassing excellenceplay

2. having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligenceplay

3. characterized by grandeurplay

4. having strong or striking colorplay

5. full of light; shining intenselyplay

6. clear and sharp and ringingplay

  Familiarity information: BRILLIANT used as an adjective is common.


 Dictionary entry details 


BRILLIANT (adjective)


Sense 1

Meaning:

Of surpassing excellence

Synonyms:

brilliant; superb

Context example:

a superb actor

Similar:

superior (of high or superior quality or performance)

Derivation:

brilliance (the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand)

brilliancy (a quality that outshines the usual)


Sense 2

Meaning:

Having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence

Synonyms:

brainy; brilliant; smart as a whip

Context example:

a brilliant solution to the problem

Similar:

intelligent (having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree)

Derivation:

brilliance (unusual mental ability)

brilliancy (a quality that outshines the usual)


Sense 3

Meaning:

Characterized by grandeur

Synonyms:

brilliant; glorious; magnificent; splendid

Context example:

the splendid coronation ceremony

Similar:

impressive (making a strong or vivid impression)

Derivation:

brilliance (the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand)

brilliancy (a quality that outshines the usual)


Sense 4

Meaning:

Having strong or striking color

Synonyms:

bright; brilliant; vivid

Context example:

a bird with vivid plumage

Similar:

colorful; colourful (having much or varied color)

Derivation:

brilliancy (a quality that outshines the usual)


Sense 5

Meaning:

Full of light; shining intensely

Context example:

brilliant chandeliers

Similar:

bright (emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts)

Derivation:

brilliance (a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted)

brilliancy (a quality that outshines the usual)


Sense 6

Meaning:

Clear and sharp and ringing

Synonyms:

bright; brilliant

Context example:

the brilliant sound of the trumpets

Similar:

reverberant (having a tendency to reverberate or be repeatedly reflected)

Derivation:

brilliancy (a quality that outshines the usual)


 Context examples 


He is older than Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of great personal beauty.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

All was still and dark, save only that brilliant yellow screen in front of us with the black figure outlined upon its centre.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He was deadly pale and terribly emaciated, with the protruding, brilliant eyes of a man whose spirit was greater than his strength.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It reminded me of Taine, yet I knew the man had never heard of that brilliant though dangerous thinker.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"My rouge won't come off." and Amy rubbed her brilliant cheek, and showed him her white glove with a sober simplicity that made him laugh outright.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

A silver-and-brilliant pendant of old Spanish design had been pawned at Bovington’s, in Westminster Road.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was brilliant moonlight, and the soft effect of the light over the sea and sky—merged together in one great, silent mystery—was beautiful beyond words.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

It was brilliant, deep, philosophical, and deliciously touched with laughter.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

This is a gorgeous eclipse, for it comes packed with goodies and encouraging, brilliant aspects.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

There were big yellow and white and blue and purple blossoms, besides great clusters of scarlet poppies, which were so brilliant in color they almost dazzled Dorothy's eyes.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)



 Learn English with... Proverbs 
"Don't have too many irons in the fire." (English proverb)

"If there is no financial involvement between relatives, the relationship is harmonious." (Bhutanese proverb)

"Measure your quilt, then stretch your legs." (Arabic proverb)

"After a battle, everyone is a general." (Czech proverb)



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