/ ˈbrɪliənt; NAmE / adjective
1.
extremely clever or impressive :
What a brilliant idea!
a brilliant performance / invention
2.
very successful :
a brilliant career
The play was a brilliant success.
3.
very intelligent or skilful :
a brilliant young scientist
She has one of the most brilliant minds in the country.
➡ note at intelligent
4.
( of light or colours ) very bright :
brilliant sunshine
brilliant blue eyes
➡ note at bright
5.
( BrE , informal ) very good; excellent :
'How was it?' 'Brilliant!'
Thanks. You've been brilliant (= very helpful) .
➡ note at great
► bril·liance / ˈbrɪliəns; NAmE / noun [ U ]
► bril·li·ant·ly adverb :
The plan worked brilliantly.
It was brilliantly sunny.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 17th cent.: from French brillant shining, present participle of briller , from Italian brillare , probably from Latin beryllus from Greek bērullos .