Brillant vs. Brilliant — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
"Brillant" is an incorrect spelling. The right spelling is "brilliant," denoting exceptional cleverness or talent.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Brillant or Brilliant
How to spell Brilliant?
Brillant
Incorrect Spelling
Brilliant
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Think of "brilliant" as shining or "brill"iantly lit.
Recall the phrase "brilliant mind" to remember the correct spelling.
Remember, it's not just "brill" (shiny) but an extra step to be "brilliant" (exceptionally clever).
"Brilliant" has two 'l's and an 'i' after the 'l'.
Associate the extra 'i' in "brilliant" with the sparkle of intelligence.
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How Do You Spell Brilliant Correctly?
Incorrect: The scientist made a brillant discovery.
Correct: The scientist made a brilliant discovery.
Incorrect: Her idea was so brillant that everyone applauded.
Correct: Her idea was so brilliant that everyone applauded.
Incorrect: The child's brillant smile lit up the room.
Correct: The child's brilliant smile lit up the room.
Incorrect: He gave a brillant performance on stage.
Correct: He gave a brilliant performance on stage.
Incorrect: The diamond looked brillant under the store lights.
Correct: The diamond looked brilliant under the store lights.
Brilliant Definitions
Of a color, very bright and radiant.
The sky displayed brilliant shades of orange during sunset.
Shining brightly; sparkling.
The stars looked brilliant that night.
Exceptionally clever or talented.
Marie Curie made brilliant contributions to science.
Magnificent or splendid.
It was a brilliant performance.
Outstanding; impressive.
His brilliant effort saved the day.
Full of light; shining.
Relating to or being a hue that has a combination of high lightness and strong saturation.
Sharp and clear in tone
A recording with brilliant sound.
Glorious; magnificent
The brilliant court life at Versailles.
Superb; wonderful
The soloist gave a brilliant performance.
Having or showing unusual and impressive intelligence
A brilliant mind.
A brilliant solution to the problem.
A precious gem, especially a diamond, finely cut in any of various forms with numerous facets.
Shining brightly.
The brilliant lights along the promenade
(of a colour) Both bright and saturated.
Butterflies with brilliant blue wings
(of a voice or sound) Having a sharp, clear tone
(British) Of surpassing excellence.
The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant.
(British) Magnificent or wonderful.
Highly intelligent.
She is a brilliant scientist.
A finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to maximize light return through the top (called "table") of the stone.
The size of type between excelsior and diamond, standardized as 4-point.
Most hummingbird species of the genus Heliodoxa.
A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.
Sparkling with luster; glittering; very bright; as, a brilliant star.
Distinguished by qualities which excite admiration; splendid; shining; as, brilliant talents.
Washington was more solicitous to avoid fatal mistakes than to perform brilliant exploits.
Exceedingly intelligent, or of distinguished accomplishment in a field; - as, a brilliant chemist.
A diamond or other gem of the finest cut, formed into faces and facets, so as to reflect and refract the light, by which it is rendered more brilliant. It has at the middle, or top, a principal face, called the table, which is surrounded by a number of sloping facets forming a bizet; below, it has a small face or collet, parallel to the table, connected with the girdle by a pavilion of elongated facets. It is thus distinguished from the rose diamond, which is entirely covered with facets on the surface, and is flat below.
This snuffbox - on the hinge see brilliants shine.
The smallest size of type used in England printing.
Of surpassing excellence;
A brilliant performance
A superb actor
Having or marked by unusual and impressive intelligence;
Some men dislike brainy women
A brilliant mind
A brilliant solution to the problem
Characterized by or attended with brilliance or grandeur;
The brilliant court life at Versailles
A glorious work of art
Magnificent cathedrals
The splendid coronation ceremony
Having striking color;
Bright greens
Brilliant tapestries
A bird with vivid plumage
Full of light; shining intensely;
A brilliant star
Brilliant chandeliers
Clear and sharp and ringing;
The bright sound of the trumpet section
The brilliant sound of the trumpets
Brilliant Meaning in a Sentence
The artist's brilliant use of colors captured the beauty of the landscape.
The brilliant stars in the night sky amazed the campers.
The chef's brilliant fusion of flavors won him numerous awards.
She solved the problem with a brilliant solution that surprised her team.
His brilliant mind was always searching for new inventions.
She wore a brilliant blue dress that stood out at the party.
The film's brilliant cinematography was praised by critics.
The student's brilliant essay earned her a scholarship.
The novel was brilliant, combining deep insights with compelling storytelling.
The scientist received a Nobel Prize for his brilliant research.
The musician's brilliant composition was performed by orchestras worldwide.
The brilliant sunlight poured through the windows, filling the room with warmth.
He delivered a brilliant speech that moved the audience.
The brilliant colors of the sunset left everyone in awe.
The brilliant engineer designed a revolutionary new product.
The brilliant light of the lighthouse guided ships safely to shore.
She had a brilliant career, achieving success in multiple fields.
The brilliant landscape inspired painters and poets alike.
The mathematician's brilliant theorem advanced the field significantly.
The brilliant display of fireworks lit up the night sky.
The company's brilliant marketing strategy led to a surge in sales.
The brilliant humor in the book made it a bestseller.
Her brilliant performance in the exam secured her the top rank.
The teacher's brilliant explanation clarified the complex concept.
The brilliant strategy helped the team win the championship.
Brilliant Idioms & Phrases
A brilliant stroke
An action that is very clever and successful.
Hiring the renowned designer was a brilliant stroke for the fashion brand.
Bright and brilliant
Exceptionally clever, talented, or skilled.
The young scientist is both bright and brilliant, making groundbreaking discoveries.
Common Curiosities
Which vowel is used before brilliant?
Depends on context; no specific vowel is inherently tied to "brilliant."
Why is it called brilliant?
Derived from the French "brillant" meaning "shining."
What is the verb form of brilliant?
There isn't a verb form for "brilliant"; it's primarily an adjective.
What is the pronunciation of brilliant?
/ˈbrɪl.jənt/
What is the plural form of brilliant?
Brilliant is primarily an adjective, so it doesn't have a typical plural form.
Which preposition is used with brilliant?
"At" as in "brilliant at solving problems."
Is brilliant an adverb?
No.
What is the root word of brilliant?
From the French word "brillant."
Is brilliant a noun or adjective?
Adjective.
What is the singular form of brilliant?
Brilliant.
Which conjunction is used with brilliant?
No specific conjunction is tied to "brilliant."
Is brilliant a negative or positive word?
Positive.
Is brilliant an abstract noun?
No.
Which article is used with brilliant?
Both "a" and "the" can be used depending on context.
Is the brilliant term a metaphor?
It can be used metaphorically, e.g., "a brilliant idea."
Is the word brilliant imperative?
No.
What is the third form of brilliant?
Not applicable.
How many syllables are in brilliant?
2 syllables.
How do we divide brilliant into syllables?
bril-liant.
What is another term for brilliant?
Exceptional.
Is brilliant a collective noun?
No.
What is the first form of brilliant?
Brilliant is not a verb; it doesn't have verb forms.
What is the second form of brilliant?
Not applicable.
Is brilliant a vowel or consonant?
"Brilliant" is a word, not a letter, so it contains both vowels and consonants.
What is a stressed syllable in brilliant?
The first syllable, "bril."
What part of speech is brilliant?
Adjective.
What is the opposite of brilliant?
Dull or mediocre.
Is brilliant a countable noun?
No, it's an adjective.
Which determiner is used with brilliant?
Determiners like "this," "that," "a," or "the" can be used.
How is brilliant used in a sentence?
"She gave a brilliant presentation on the topic."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
