noun
brill
brihl
Brill (noun) means a European flatfish similar to a small turbot, prized as a food fish. Example: “The chef served pan-fried brill with a lemon butter sauce.”
noun
1
A European flatfish similar to a small turbot, prized as a food fish.
"The chef served pan-fried brill with a lemon butter sauce."
How to use brill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flatfish related to turbot, popular in European cooking.
When to use it
In British informal slang, "brill" is also a shortening of "brilliant" (meaning excellent) — a different, unrelated use worth knowing if you hear it in conversation.
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Word forms
- Plural
- brills
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The chef served pan-fried _____ with a lemon butter sauce.
Etymology
Possibly from Cornish brilli ("mackerel"), from a Brythonic word meaning "spotted".
Rhymes for brill
See all rhymes for brill →Frequently asked questions
What does “brill” mean?
The word “brill” means a European flatfish similar to a small turbot, prized as a food fish. In plain terms, a flatfish related to turbot, popular in European cooking.
How do you pronounce “brill”?
“Brill” is pronounced brihl (/bɹɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “brill” in a sentence?
Here is “brill” used in a sentence: “The chef served pan-fried brill with a lemon butter sauce.”
What part of speech is “brill”?
“Brill” is a noun.
