Illustration of brilliant
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bril·liant
ˈbril-yənt 
1
: very bright : glittering
a brilliant light
2
a
: striking, distinctive
a brilliant example
b
: distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness
brilliant scientists
3
British
: very good : excellent
brilliantly
adverb
: a gem (such as a diamond) cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to have special brightness or brilliance
Synonyms
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
Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
Best of all though, are the matriarchs; Joan Chen, as ever, leaves us wanting more, while the Youn Yuh-jung—so brilliant in Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari, not to mention E J-yong’s terrific 2009 meta piece Actresses—is, once again, this charming film’s M.V.P.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
The movie centers on an extended conversation between Peter Hujar (Ben Whishaw), a brilliant, but struggling photographer, and his close friend, writer Linda Rosenkrantz (Rebecca Hall), who recorded their talk for an art project.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
At times this season, Newcastle have veered between brilliant and mediocre.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for brilliant 
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Adjective
The Spider-Verse movies are brilliant and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is just fun — one an exercise in pushing the medium forward, the other a backward-looking piece of nostalgia.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Jan. 2025
Best of all though, are the matriarchs; Joan Chen, as ever, leaves us wanting more, while the Youn Yuh-jung—so brilliant in Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari, not to mention E J-yong’s terrific 2009 meta piece Actresses—is, once again, this charming film’s M.V.P.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
The movie centers on an extended conversation between Peter Hujar (Ben Whishaw), a brilliant, but struggling photographer, and his close friend, writer Linda Rosenkrantz (Rebecca Hall), who recorded their talk for an art project.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
At times this season, Newcastle have veered between brilliant and mediocre.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for brilliant
Dictionary Entries Near brilliant
Cite this Entry
“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brilliant. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brilliant
1 of 2 adjective
bril·liant
ˈbril-yənt
1
: flashing with light : very bright
brilliant jewels
2
a
: very impressive
a brilliant career
b
: very smart or clever
a brilliant student
a brilliant idea
brilliantly
adverb
brilliant
2 of 2 noun
: a gem (as a diamond) cut so as to sparkle
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