brillant
brilliant
Sehr gut, besonders klug oder hell glänzend.
Definition & meaning
The word brillant is used as an adjective to describe something or someone that is exceptionally outstanding, gifted, or shining. It has two main contexts:
- Intellectual capacity: Describing a person who is highly intelligent, talented, or skillful (e.g., a brilliant idea, a brilliant scientist).
- Visual quality: Describing something that is bright, sparkling, or lustrous (e.g., brilliant colors, a brilliant cut diamond).
Grammar & Word origin
The word is an adjective. In German, it follows standard declension rules when used before a noun (e.g., ein brillanter Plan, eine brillante Idee).
It originates from the French word brillant, which stems from the verb briller (to shine), which in turn comes from the Italian brillare. It was borrowed into German in the 17th century.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- glänzend brillant (shining/excellent)
- hervorragend brillant (outstanding)
- genial brillant (brilliant/genius)
- strahlend brillant (radiant)
- ausgezeichnet brillant (excellent)
Antonyms:
Make “brillant” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Die Idee war wirklich brillant formuliert.adjective
The idea was really brilliantly formulated.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad