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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Brilliant: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：exceptionally intelligent (brilliant)

brilliant 🔊

/ˈbrɪl.i.ənt/

adj.

very smart or talented, often in a surprising way.

Illustration of a student having a brilliant idea, symbolized by a glowing lightbulb.

exceptionally intelligent 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈsɛpʃənəli ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒənt/

adj.

Describes a person who possesses extraordinary intelligence, talent, or cleverness, often leading to impressive or surprising achievements.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From French 'brillant' (shining), from 'briller' (to shine), ultimately from Latin 'beryllus' (beryl, a precious stone).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a BRILLIANT diamond and a BRILLIANT mind—both shine intensely and stand out.

📖 Example

My sister had a brilliant solution to the tricky math problem that amazed our teacher. 🔊 My sister had a brilliant solution to the tricky math problem that amazed our teacher.

🔗 Collocations

brilliant idea – an extremely clever and effective thought or plan

brilliant mind – a person of outstanding intelligence

brilliant scientist – a researcher of exceptional talent and insight

🔄 Synonyms

genius (adj./n.) – possessing or showing exceptional intellectual or creative power

ingenious (adj.) – clever, original, and inventive

astute (adj.) – having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people

🚫 Antonyms

stupid (adj.) – lacking intelligence or common sense

dull (adj.) – slow to understand; not intellectually sharp

🌱 Derivatives

brilliance (n.) – intense brightness of light; exceptional intelligence or talent

brilliantly (adv.) – in an exceptionally clever or bright manner

📖 Cultural Story

The word evolved from the Latin 'beryllus' (a type of precious gemstone) via Old French. Its core meaning of 'shining like a gem' extended metaphorically to describe intellectual brightness in the 18th century, reflecting the Enlightenment era's valorization of reason and genius.

Meaning 2：extremely bright and sparkling (brilliant)

brilliant 🔊

/ˈbrɪl.i.ənt/

adj.

very bright and sparkling, like diamonds or stars.

Photorealistic close-up of a brilliant diamond sparkling with intense light reflections.

extremely bright and sparkling 🔊

➕

/ɪkˈstriːmli braɪt ənd ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/

adj.

Describes something that emits or reflects a very strong, vivid, and often sparkling light.

📁 Category：Space Exploration 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

On a clear night, the stars look especially brilliant in the dark sky. 🔊 On a clear night, the stars look especially brilliant in the dark sky.

🔗 Collocations

brilliant sunshine – intense, dazzling sunlight

brilliant colors – vivid and intensely bright hues

brilliant light – a very strong and radiant illumination

🔄 Synonyms

dazzling (adj.) – extremely bright, especially so as to blind the eyes temporarily

radiant (adj.) – sending out light; shining or glowing brightly

glittering (adj.) – shining with a shimmering or sparkling light

🚫 Antonyms

dull (adj.) – lacking brightness or shine; not vivid

dim (adj.) – not shining brightly or clearly