- extremely clever or impressive
- What a brilliant idea!
- She came up with an absolutely brilliant solution to our problem
- a brilliant performance/invention
- He made two brilliant saves to keep his side in the match.
- The system is brilliant in its simplicity.
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesa2- Her performance was technically brilliant but lacked feeling.
- His playing of the Beethoven was truly brilliant.
- She scored a brilliant goal a minute before the whistle blew.
- This is a brilliant and fascinating piece of writing.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- look
- just
- really
- truly
- …
- at
- (British English, informal) very good; excellent
- ‘How was it?’ ‘Brilliant!’
- Thanks. You've been brilliant (= very helpful).
- She is very artistic, the cake looks brilliant.
Synonyms greatgreatcool ▪ fantastic ▪ fabulous ▪ terrific ▪ brilliant ▪ awesome ▪ epicThese are all informal words that describe somebody/something that is very good, impressive, great fun, etc.great (informal) very good; giving a lot of pleasure:- We had a great time in Madrid.
- I think their new song’s really cool.
- ‘How was your holiday?’ ‘Fantastic!’
- Jane’s a fabulous cook.
- She’s doing a terrific job.
- ‘How was the show?’ ‘Brilliant!’
- The show was just awesome.
- The adventure and action are truly epic in scope.
- to have a(n) great/cool/fantastic/fabulous/terrific/brilliant/awesome time
- to look/sound great/cool/fantastic/fabulous/terrific/brilliant/awesome
- really great/cool/fantastic/fabulous/terrific/brilliant/awesome
- absolutely great/fantastic/fabulous/terrific/brilliant/awesome/epic
Extra Examples- Winning that race was just brilliant.
- ‘How was the show?’ ‘Brilliant!’
- He's brilliant at football.
- very intelligent or showing a lot of skill
- He's a brilliant young scientist.
- She has one of the most brilliant minds in the country.
Synonyms intelligentintelligentsmart ▪ clever ▪ brilliant ▪ brightThese words all describe people who are good at learning, understanding and thinking about things, and the actions that show this ability.intelligent good at learning, understanding and thinking in a logical way about things; showing this ability: He’s a highly intelligent man.She asked a lot of intelligent questions.smart (especially North American English) quick at learning and understanding things; showing the ability to make good business or personal decisions: She’s smarter than her brother.That was a smart career move.clever (sometimes disapproving, especially British English) quick at learning and understanding things; showing this ability: How clever of you to work it out!He’s too clever by half, if you ask me. People use clever in the phrase : Clever boy/girl! to tell a young child that they have learnt or done something well. When used to or about an adult clever can be disapproving.brilliant extremely intelligent or showing a lot of skill: He’s a brilliant young scientist.bright intelligent; quick to learn: She’s probably the brightest student in the class. Bright is used especially to talk about young people. Common collocations of bright include girl, boy, kid, student, pupil.Patterns- clever/brilliant at something
- a(n) intelligent/smart/clever/brilliant/bright child/boy/girl/man/woman
- a(n) intelligent/smart/clever/brilliant thing to do
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- look
- just
- really
- truly
- …
- at
- very successful
- a brilliant career
- The play was a brilliant success.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- look
- just
- really
- truly
- …
- at
- (of light or colours) very bright
- brilliant sunshine
- brilliant blue eyes
- The sky was a brilliant blue.
Synonyms brightbrightbrilliant ▪ vivid ▪ vibrantThese words all describe things that are shining or full of light or colours that are strong and easy to see.bright full of light; shining strongly; (of colours) strong and easy to see:- a bright yellow dress
- The sky was a brilliant blue.
- His eyes were a vivid green.
- The room was decorated in vibrant blues and greens.
- bright/brilliant/vivid/vibrant colours
- bright/brilliant light/sunlight/sunshine/eyes
Word Originlate 17th cent.: from French brillant ‘shining’, present participle of briller, from Italian brillare, probably from Latin beryllus from Greek bērullos.
Check pronunciation:
brilliant