brilliant in English
- brilliant⇄adj. 1. shining brightly; sparkling.
Ex. brilliant jewels, brilliant sunshine.
(SYN) glittering, resplendent.
2. (Figurative.)
a. splendid; magnificent.
Ex. The famous singer gave a brilliant performance.
b. having - brilliant⇄adv. brilliantly.
- brilliant⇄brilliant, adjective, noun.
- brilliant⇄noun brilliantness.
- brilliant⇄noun 1a. a diamond or other gem cut to sparkle brightly. It is typically shaped like two pyramids united at their bases, the top one cut off near the base and the bottom one close to the apex, with many facets on the slopes.
b. this form of cuttin
brilliant in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
brilliant in Konkani कोंकणी
brilliant in Sindhi سنڌي
brilliant in Tamil தமிழ்
brilliant in Telugu తెలుగు
Brilliant
Part of Speech
Adjective
Pronunciation
/ˈbrɪl·yənt/
Definitions
- Adjective: Very bright or radiant in appearance or quality.
- Adjective: Showing exceptional talent, intelligence, or skill.
- Adjective: Excellent in some field, highly successful or admirable.
Usage Examples
- "The brilliant light of the stars filled the sky with wonder."
- "She gave a brilliant performance in the play last night."
- "His brilliant mind solved the complex problem in no time."
Etymology
The word 'brilliant' comes from the French word 'brillant', which means 'shining' or 'sparkling', derived from the verb 'briller' meaning 'to shine'. The term has been used in English since the early 18th century to describe things that shine brightly, and it later expanded to describe intellectual and artistic excellence.
Synonyms
- Radiant
- Shining
- Outstanding
- Excellent
- Superb
- Genius
Antonyms
- Dim
- Dull
- Average
- Inferior
- Unimpressive
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Brillante | /bɾiˈʝante/ |
| French | Brillant | /bʁijɑ̃/ |
| German | Brillant | /bʁɪˈlant/ |
| Italian | Brillante | /brilˈlante/ |
| Portuguese | Brilhante | /bɾiˈʎɐ̃tʃi/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 辉煌 | /huī huáng/ |
| Russian | Блестящий | /blʲɪsˈtʲæɕɕɪj/ |
| Japanese | 輝かしい | /kagayakashi/ |
| Korean | 빛나는 | /bitnaneun/ |
| Arabic | متألق | /mutaʔalliq/ |
| Hindi | चमकदार | /chamakdaar/ |
| Bengali | প্রতিভাবান | /pratibhaban/ |
| Punjabi | ਚਮਕਦਾਰ | /chamakdaar/ |
| Marathi | चमकदार | /chamakdaar/ |
| Gujarati | પ્રতિભાશાળી | /pratibhashali/ |
| Malayalam | പ്രകാശമുള്ള | /prakaashamulla/ |
| Tamil | பிரகாசமான | /pirakasamaana/ |
| Telugu | ప్రకాశవంతమైన | /prakāśavanta/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In British English, the emphasis is often placed on the first syllable, as in 'BRIL-yent'.
- In American English, the pronunciation can vary, with some speakers saying 'BRIL-yent' or 'BRIL-ee-unt'.
Historical Usage
First recorded in English in the 17th century, 'brilliant' was initially used to describe jewels or light that reflected brightly. By the 18th century, it expanded to describe people or things that exhibited exceptional qualities, especially in intellectual and artistic fields. Today, 'brilliant' is commonly used to praise someone's remarkable abilities or achievements.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, 'brilliant' is used to denote not only physical brightness but also the intellectual or creative prowess of individuals. The term often carries connotations of admiration and is used in various contexts, from academic achievements to artistic expression. It reflects society's valuing of excellence, creativity, and extraordinary accomplishments.
More Information
The word 'brilliant' has become a universal term for anything remarkable or outstanding. It has moved beyond describing light and radiance to encompass all forms of excellence. Whether referring to someone’s intellectual contributions or an awe-inspiring work of art, 'brilliant' is one of the highest forms of praise in modern language.