Brilliant Definition & Meaning

brilliant
adjective
  1. of surpassing excellence; "a brilliant performance"; "a superb actor"
  2. having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence; "some men dislike brainy women"; "a brilliant mind"; "a brilliant solution to the problem"
  3. characterized by grandeur; "the brilliant court life at Versailles"; "a glorious work of art"; "magnificent cathedrals"; "the splendid coronation ceremony"
  4. having striking color; "bright dress"; "brilliant tapestries"; "a bird with vivid plumage"
  5. full of light; shining intensely; "a brilliant star"; "brilliant chandeliers"
  6. clear and sharp and ringing; "the bright sound of the trumpet section"; "the brilliant sound of the trumpets"

Synonyms for brilliant

brainy adj

having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence; "some men dislike brainy women"; "a brilliant mind

♫ Rhymes
bright adv

with brightness; "the stars shone brilliantly

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colorful adj

having striking color; "colorful autumn leaves" striking in variety and interest; "a colorful period of history

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colourful adj

striking in variety and interest; "a colorful period of history"; "a colorful character

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glorious adj

having or deserving or conferring glory; "a long and glorious career

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impressive adj

making a strong or vivid impression; "an impressive ceremony" producing a strong effect

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intelligent adj

having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree; "is there intelligent life in the universe?

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magnificent adj

characterized by grandeur; "the brilliant court life at Versailles"; "a glorious work of art"; "magnificent cathedrals

♫ Rhymes
reverberant adj

having a tendency to reverberate or be repeatedly reflected; "a reverberant room"; "the reverberant booms of cannon"

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ringing noun

the sound of a bell ringing; "the distinctive ring of the church bell"; "the ringing of the telephone

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"Brilliant" in song lyrics

See how brilliant is used in real songs:

  • "Illin when they realize it's revealin they brilliant"
    Akir — Ride 2 It
  • "the living, coloured, brilliant"
    Aztlan Underground — War Flowers
  • "My light is brilliant"
    Jay Electronica — Exhibit C

Words that rhyme with brilliant

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Usage tips for "brilliant"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "brilliant" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for brilliant to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with brilliant ↔ Synonyms for brilliant 🔬 Words containing brilliant

Frequently asked questions

What does brilliant mean?
of surpassing excellence; "a brilliant performance"; "a superb actor" having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence; "some men dislike brainy women"; "a brilliant mind"; "a brilliant solution to the problem" characterized by grandeur; "the brilliant court life at Versailles"; "a glorious work of art"; "magnificent cathedrals"; "the splendid coronation ceremony" having striking color; "bright dress"; "brilliant tapestries"; "a bird with vivid plumage" full of light; shining intensely
What part of speech is brilliant?
Brilliant is an adjective.
How many definitions does brilliant have?
Brilliant has 6 definitions across 1 part of speech (adjective).

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