brilliant

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Very good; excellent or wonderful.

   We had a brilliant time at the party.

2. 2
   adj

   Extremely intelligent or skilful.

   She is a brilliant scientist whose work changed the field.

3. 3
   adj

   Shining very brightly.

   The brilliant lights of the city lit up the night sky.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Brilliant entered English in the late 17th century from French brillant, meaning “shining.” The French word probably derives ultimately from Latin beryllus, “beryl.”

Borrowed from French brillant (late 17th century), present participle of the verb briller, from Italian brillare, possibly from Latin berillus, beryllus (“a beryl, gem, eyeglass”), from Ancient Greek βήρυλλος (bḗrullos, “beryl”).

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