brilliance

Brilliance is a noun form of the adjective brilliant, which commonly means extremely intelligent but can also mean outstanding, exceptional, or magnificent, as in a brilliant performance.

These senses of brilliant are based on its more general meaning—shining brightly or sparkling. Bright sunshine can be described as brilliant in this way. A very sparkly gem such as a diamond could also be described as brilliant. Brilliance can be used in these contexts to refer to the brightness or sparkliness of such things.

Brilliant can also be used to mean vivid or vibrant. This sense of the word is especially used to describe colors and sounds that stand out due to being especially strong and clear. Brilliance refers to the quality of such things.

Example: I cannot overstate the brilliance of the performance—it was magnificent in every way.

Where does brilliance come from?

The first records of the word brilliance come from the mid-1700s. It’s a noun form of the adjective brilliant, which comes from the French brillant, meaning “shining,” from the French verb briller, “to shine.”

Brilliant was originally used as a way to describe things that literally shine or sparkle, such as the sun or a diamond. Eventually, it started to be used to describe people whose intellectual brilliance shines like the sun or a diamond.

Brilliant cut diamonds are those that are cut in a way that’s intended to maximize their brilliance—a large number of facets are added in order to better catch the light and reflect it back.

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brilliant (adjective)

What are some synonyms for brilliance?

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How is brilliance used in real life?

Brilliance is usually used in a positive way. It’s especially used in the context of very smart people and things that shine.

To increase the productivity of your team, lead by example, and allow others to step into their brilliance by empowering them.

— Neen James (@neenjames) August 12, 2014

Tiffany designers and craftspeople obsessively consider angles, proportion and symmetry to ensure a diamond’s brilliance changes the very energy of the room—regardless of its placement in a setting. Discover more: https://t.co/EJXwfd5J88 #TiffanyAndCo pic.twitter.com/g1RIUz4BwF

— Tiffany & Co. (@TiffanyAndCo) January 12, 2020

I can't wait to see #Logan again! The brilliance of the film is that it haunts you even after it ends. So much going on!

— Joshua Gannon (@blueyedguy86) March 11, 2017

Try using brilliance!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of brilliance?

A. luster
B. brightness
C. gloom
D. luminance

How to use brilliance in a sentence

Vincent Van Gogh fell in love with the brilliance of Provence.
An art lover’s Impressionist video trip to Provence and the Riviera|Nancy Nathan|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
The result was as much about the Bears’ issues as about any brilliance by the Saints.
Saints advance to set up a Drew Brees-Tom Brady showdown in second round|Mark Maske|January 11, 2021|Washington Post
Ohio State had finally taken a lead over Clemson, thanks in large part to the brilliance of Fields, its leader and one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.
Justin Fields outduels Trevor Lawrence as Ohio State upsets Clemson in playoff semifinal|Emily Giambalvo, Kareem Copeland|January 2, 2021|Washington Post
Decades later, the brilliance of “Calvin and Hobbes” refuses to dim.
‘Calvin and Hobbes’ said goodbye 25 years ago. Here’s why Bill Watterson’s masterwork enchants us still.|Michael Cavna|December 31, 2020|Washington Post

While 2020 might have taken the sheen off of the brilliance of the city’s restaurant scene, 2021 looks to bring back our dining scene stronger than ever.
Restaurants, bars put creativity on the menu in 2020|Evan Caplan|December 30, 2020|Washington Blade
None of them came close to the brilliance of what Beyoncé had accomplished.
Bow Down, Bitches: How Beyoncé Turned an Elevator Brawl Into a Perfect Year|Kevin Fallon|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The idea that January 1st initiates a period of new beginning is not a flash of Hallmark brilliance.
New Year’s Eve, Babylon Style|Candida Moss|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The brilliance of this scene, and this season, is that there are no good guys and bad guys.
Julianna Margulies's Favorite 'The Good Wife' Scenes|Julianna Margulies|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As TechCrunch pointed out, the brilliance in its bare bones appeal could reach a worth of one billion dollars.
The Zen of Yo|Dale Eisinger|August 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But this soft and greedy subversive organelle is no match for the brilliance of our scientists!
The Fake Superbug Cure|Kent Sepkowitz|June 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The sand hung in fog-like clouds shrouding the sun, dimming the usual brilliance.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
The brilliance of his wife, and her most fascinating colloquial powers, also reflected much luster upon his name.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
Her husband became more illustrious through that brilliance she was ever anxious to reflect upon him.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
There were countries and seas on a vari-colored map, and one pin-point of brilliance that marked his ever-changing position.
Astounding Stories, May, 1931|Various
They were still a little perturbed by the brilliance and distraction, and it was as an alien that she moved among them still.
The Creators|May Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for brilliance

brilliance

brilliancy

/ (ˈbrɪljəns) /

noun

great brightness; radiance

excellence or distinction in physical or mental ability; exceptional talent

splendour; magnificencethe brilliance of the royal court

physics a former term for luminance

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

brilliance

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MORE ABOUT BRILLIANCE

What does brilliance mean?

Where does brilliance come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is brilliance used in real life?

Try using brilliance!

Words related to brilliance

How to use brilliance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for brilliance

brilliancy