Illustration of brilliant
- 1 table
- 2 bezel
- 3 girdle
- 4 pavilion
- 5 culet
bril·liant
ˈbril-yənt 
1
: very bright : glittering
a brilliant light
2
a
: striking, distinctive
a brilliant example
b
: distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness
brilliant scientists
3
British
: very good : excellent
brilliantly
adverb
: a gem (such as a diamond) cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to have special brightness or brilliance
Synonyms
Examples of brilliant in a Sentence
Adjective
a brilliant star in the sky
a store decorated in brilliant colors
He pitched a brilliant game.
She gave a brilliant performance.
She has a brilliant mind.
Noun
the diamond cutter set out an array of brilliants to show the various ways the diamond could be cut
Recent Examples on the Web
Lily Templeton, WWD, 10 Feb. 2025
The language a writer uses, Robbins said — dense, sparkling, brilliant, evocative and seductive — was ultimately more important than their message.
—Tom Vitale, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025
If beating Brentford and its reward, a game against arguably the best club team on the planet right now, are the brilliant bits of a life in football, what happened shortly after this interview must be one of those head-in-oven/feet-in-freezer moments.
—Matt Slater, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
The former was absolutely brilliant on this Night 1 of the tour, showcasing all the reasons why ABC should be held up as one of the greatest new-wave pop acts of the ’80s — right up there with the likes of Duran Duran and Eurythmics.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for brilliant 
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Adjective
That would already warrant a warm welcome, but the entire necklace featured more than 2,300 diamonds in pear, brilliant and baguette cuts in a white gold ribbon that frames the neck.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 10 Feb. 2025
The language a writer uses, Robbins said — dense, sparkling, brilliant, evocative and seductive — was ultimately more important than their message.
—Tom Vitale, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025
If beating Brentford and its reward, a game against arguably the best club team on the planet right now, are the brilliant bits of a life in football, what happened shortly after this interview must be one of those head-in-oven/feet-in-freezer moments.
—Matt Slater, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
The former was absolutely brilliant on this Night 1 of the tour, showcasing all the reasons why ABC should be held up as one of the greatest new-wave pop acts of the ’80s — right up there with the likes of Duran Duran and Eurythmics.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for brilliant
Dictionary Entries Near brilliant
Cite this Entry
“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brilliant. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
brilliant
1 of 2 adjective
bril·liant
ˈbril-yənt
1
: flashing with light : very bright
brilliant jewels
2
a
: very impressive
a brilliant career
b
: very smart or clever
a brilliant student
a brilliant idea
brilliantly
adverb
brilliant
2 of 2 noun
: a gem (as a diamond) cut so as to sparkle
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