Definition of brilliant Brilliant

/bɹɪˈljʌnt/ - [brilyunt] - bril•liant

We found 22 definitions of brilliant from 5 different sources.

What does brilliant mean?

WordNet

Adjective brilliant, brillianter, brilliantest
brilliant - characterized by grandeur; "the brilliant court life at Versailles"; "a glorious work of art"; "magnificent cathedrals"; "the splendid coronation ceremony"
		glorious, magnificent, splendid
		impressive producing a strong effect; "gave an impressive performance as Othello"; "a telling gesture"
brilliant - full of light; shining intensely; "a brilliant star"; "brilliant chandeliers"
		bright full or promise; "had a bright future in publishing"; "the scandal threatened an abrupt end to a promising political career"; "a hopeful new singer on Broadway"
brilliant - of surpassing excellence; "a brilliant performance"; "a superb actor"
		superb
		superior (often followed by `to') above being affected or influenced by; "he is superior to fear"; "an ignited firework proceeds superior to circumstances until its blazing vitality fades"
brilliant - having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence; "some men dislike brainy women"; "a brilliant mind"; "a brilliant solution to the problem"
		brainy, smart as a whip
		intelligent having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree; "is there intelligent life in the universe?"; "an intelligent question"
brilliant - having striking color; "bright dress"; "brilliant tapestries"; "a bird with vivid plumage"
		bright, vivid
		colourful, colorful having striking color; "colorful autumn leaves"
brilliant - clear and sharp and ringing; "the bright sound of the trumpet section"; "the brilliant sound of the trumpets"
		bright
		reverberant having a tendency to reverberate or be repeatedly reflected; "a reverberant room"; "the reverberant booms of cannon"

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Wiktionary

brilliant (Noun)
A finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, having many facets.
brilliant (Noun)
A small size of type.
brilliant (Noun)
A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.
brilliant (Adjective)
Shining brightly.
brilliant (Adjective)
Both bright and saturated.
brilliant (Adjective)
Having a sharp, clear tone.
brilliant (Adjective)
Of surpassing excellence.
brilliant (Adjective)
Magnificent or wonderful.
brilliant (Adjective)
Highly intelligent.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

brilliant (p. pr.)
Sparkling with luster; glittering; very bright; as, a brilliant star.
brilliant (p. pr.)
Distinguished by qualities which excite admiration; splendid; shining; as, brilliant talents.
brilliant (a.)
A diamond or other gem of the finest cut, formed into faces and facets, so as to reflect and refract the light, by which it is rendered more brilliant. It has at the middle, or top, a principal face, called the table, which is surrounded by a number of sloping facets forming a bizet; below, it has a small face or collet, parallel to the table, connected with the girdle by a pavilion of elongated facets. It is thus distinguished from the rose diamond, which is entirely covered with facets on the surface, and is flat below.
brilliant (a.)
The smallest size of type used in England printing.
brilliant (a.)
A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

brilliant
bril′yant, adj. sparkling: glittering: splendid.—n. a diamond of the finest cut (as opposed to rose-cut or other patterns).—ns. Brill′iancy, Brill′iance.—adv. Brill′iantly.—n. Brill′iantness.[Fr. brillant, pr.p. of briller, to shine, which, like Ger. brille, an eyeglass, is from Low L. beryllus, a beryl.]