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Added 8 October 2026

brilliant

/ˈbɹɪl.jənt/ adjective

In Latin: lūculentus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about brilliant at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Shining brightly.
the brilliant lights along the promenade
Both bright and saturated.
butterflies with brilliant blue wings
Having a sharp, clear tone.

noun

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.

verb

To cut (a diamond) with many facets, to make it into a brilliant.

Origin

Borrowed from French brillant (late 17th century), present participle of the verb briller, from Italian brillare, possibly from Latin berillus, beryllus (“a beryl, gem, eyeglass”), from Ancient Greek βήρυλλος (bḗrullos, “beryl”). By surface analysis, French brill(er) + -i- + -ant.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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