brilliant
Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˈbɹɪljənt/
Adjective

brilliant

  1. Shining brightly.
    the brilliant lights along the promenade
  2. (of a colour) Both bright and saturated.
    butterflies with brilliant blue wings
  3. (of a voice or sound) Having a sharp, clear tone
  4. (British) Of surpassing excellence.
    The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant.
  5. (British) Magnificent or wonderful.
  6. Highly intelligent.
    She is a brilliant scientist.
Synonyms Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Noun

brilliant

  1. A finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to maximize light return through the top (called "table") of the stone.
    • 1717, Alexander Pope, The Basset-Table
      This snuffbox — on the hinge see brilliants shine.
    • 1892, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “A Case of Identity”, in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, OCLC 02541507 ↗, page 57 ↗:
      "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sparkled upon his finger.
  2. (uncountable, printing, dated) The size of type between excelsior and diamond, standardized as 4-point.
  3. Most hummingbird species of the genus Heliodoxa.
  4. A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.
Translations Translations


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