brilliant

The word “brilliant” means shining very brightly. In plain terms, very bright, or extremely clever/impressive.

“Brilliant” is pronounced BRIHL-yuhnt (/ˈbɹɪljənt/ in IPA).

Here is “brilliant” used in a sentence: “The sky was a brilliant shade of blue.”

Depending on how it is used, “brilliant” can be an adjective and a noun.

The word “brilliant” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French brillant, the present participle of briller ("to shine"), ultimately traced back to Latin beryllus ("beryl, gemstone").

“Brilliant” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Brilliant” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shining very brightly.

Both. Its original sense describes light — something shining very brightly, like brilliant sunshine or a brilliant diamond. Over time it also came to mean extremely clever or impressive, as in a brilliant idea or a brilliant student. In British English it is also used casually to mean 'great' or 'wonderful.'

Bright simply means giving off a good amount of light. Brilliant is far more intense — it suggests dazzling, sparkling brightness that stands out and catches the eye. A room can be bright, but a diamond or a burst of sunlight is brilliant. Brilliant is the stronger, more vivid of the two.

Yes, strongly positive. Whether describing dazzling light, a clever mind, or an excellent performance, brilliant always carries admiration. It is one of the most enthusiastic ways to praise something in everyday English, especially in Britain, where 'Brilliant!' is a common exclamation of delight or approval.

You might describe brilliant sunshine pouring through a window, the brilliant glare of stage lights, or a brilliant blue sky on a clear day. It suits anything that shines intensely — polished gems, bright flames, or vivid colours. The word paints a picture of light that is vivid and almost dazzling.