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
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
EW.com, 15 July 2025
Instead of a traditional dog crate, Mark, who only shared his first name, came up with a brilliant idea—a custom space for the dogs with a metal door.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
My father, who was a brilliant student, attended college on an R.O.T.C. scholarship, served in the Navy, earned a Ph.D. in pharmacology, and became a professor at the SUNY Buffalo medical school.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
The bass response is rich, buttery, and natural, while the warm yet clear top end provides pristine detail for a brilliant accompaniment across your catalog.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
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Adjective
While the stories-at-the-speed-of-life series didn't get a comedy nomination in its final season, nor did star-writer Bridgett Everett, voters did have the good sense to honor Jeff Hiller, one of the ensemble's brilliant performers.
—EW.com, 15 July 2025
Instead of a traditional dog crate, Mark, who only shared his first name, came up with a brilliant idea—a custom space for the dogs with a metal door.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
My father, who was a brilliant student, attended college on an R.O.T.C. scholarship, served in the Navy, earned a Ph.D. in pharmacology, and became a professor at the SUNY Buffalo medical school.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
The bass response is rich, buttery, and natural, while the warm yet clear top end provides pristine detail for a brilliant accompaniment across your catalog.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for brilliant
Cite this Entry
“Brilliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brilliant. Accessed 22 Jul. 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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