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BRILLIANT
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Dictionary entry overview: What does brilliant mean?
• BRILLIANT (adjective)
The adjective BRILLIANT has 6 senses:
1. of surpassing excellence
2. having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence
3. characterized by grandeur
4. having strong or striking color
5. full of light; shining intensely
6. clear and sharp and ringing
Familiarity information: BRILLIANT used as an adjective is common.
Dictionary entry details
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:
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)
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