brilliant
Exceptionally clever, talented, or impressive in intellectual or creative pursuits. It can also describe something that shines with extreme brightness or intense color, often signifying superior quality or clarity.
Examples
3 of 5That was a brilliant idea to save money on the project.
That was an exceptionally clever idea to save money on the project.
The professor’s brilliant lecture on thermodynamics left the students in awe.
The professor’s outstanding and highly intellectual lecture on thermodynamics left the students in awe.
The party was absolutely brilliant; we should do it again soon!
The party was fantastic and wonderful; we should do it again soon!
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'brilliant' diamond; it reflects light perfectly because of its quality, just as a 'brilliant' student reflects deep understanding.
Quick Quiz
The scientist was celebrated for her ___ solution to the energy crisis, which combined simplicity with high efficiency.
Correct!
The correct answer is: a
Examples
That was a brilliant idea to save money on the project.
everydayThat was an exceptionally clever idea to save money on the project.
The professor’s brilliant lecture on thermodynamics left the students in awe.
formalThe professor’s outstanding and highly intellectual lecture on thermodynamics left the students in awe.
The party was absolutely brilliant; we should do it again soon!
informalThe party was fantastic and wonderful; we should do it again soon!
The paper provides a brilliant analysis of the socio-economic factors influencing migration.
academicThe paper provides a masterly and deep analysis of the socio-economic factors influencing migration.
She has a brilliant career ahead of her in international law.
businessShe has an exceptionally successful career ahead of her in international law.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a brilliant stroke of luck
a sudden and very fortunate event
brilliant at (something)
highly skilled in a specific area
show brilliant promise
to exhibit signs of future greatness
Often Confused With
Radiant focuses more on the physical emission of light or heat and emotional happiness, while brilliant focuses more on intensity and intellectual excellence.
Usage Notes
At a C1 level, 'brilliant' is frequently used to describe high-level academic or professional achievements. It is an 'absolute' adjective, meaning something is either brilliant or it isn't, though it is often colloquially modified.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'very brilliant.' Since 'brilliant' already means 'very clever' or 'very bright,' it is more precise to use 'absolutely brilliant' or simply 'brilliant.'
Memory Tip
Think of a 'brilliant' diamond; it reflects light perfectly because of its quality, just as a 'brilliant' student reflects deep understanding.
Word Origin
Derived from the French 'briller' (to shine), which likely comes from the Latin 'beryllus,' referring to the precious beryl stone.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, 'Brilliant!' is a very common informal exclamation used to express strong approval or agreement with a suggestion.
Quick Quiz
The scientist was celebrated for her ___ solution to the energy crisis, which combined simplicity with high efficiency.
Correct!
The correct answer is: a
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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