How do you use "Brilliant" in a sentence?

That was absolutely brilliant! The concert was brilliant—you should have been there. Brilliant, I'll see you at eight then. She's a brilliant cook. Oh brilliant, another rainy day.' (sarcastic)

Brilliant

Q: What does "Brilliant" mean?

Excellent, wonderful (British emphasis) While 'brilliant' exists in all forms of English to describe something shining or intellectually outstanding, British English uses it far more freely as enthusiastic praise for anything good. A meal can be brilliant, a film can be brilliant, even just acknowledging something can be 'Brilliant!' It's become such a reflexive response that it sometimes carries little more meaning than 'okay, good.'

Slang Term British ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Excellent, wonderful (British emphasis)

太好了、棒极了、出色的

Excelente, maravilloso, genial

素晴らしい、最高、すごい

훌륭한, 멋진, 최고의 (영국식 강조)

While 'brilliant' exists in all forms of English to describe something shining or intellectually outstanding, British English uses it far more freely as enthusiastic praise for anything good. A meal can be brilliant, a film can be brilliant, even just acknowledging something can be 'Brilliant!' It's become such a reflexive response that it sometimes carries little more meaning than 'okay, good.'

英式英语中万能的赞美词，意为出色或极好。在英式英语中的使用频率远高于美式英语。既可以表达真诚的热情，也可以用于讽刺。

Palabra británica multiusos de aprobación que significa excelente o genial. Se usa con mucha más frecuencia en inglés británico que en americano. Puede expresar entusiasmo genuino o reconocimiento sarcástico.

イギリスで万能に使われる賛辞の言葉で、素晴らしい・最高という意味です。アメリカ英語よりもイギリス英語で圧倒的に多く使われます。本気の熱意にも皮肉にも使えます。

'Brilliant'은 모든 영어권에서 빛나거나 지적으로 뛰어난 것을 묘사하는 데 쓰이지만, 영국 영어에서는 좋은 것에 대한 열정적인 칭찬으로 훨씬 자유롭게 사용됩니다. 음식도, 영화도, 심지어 단순한 동의 표현도 'Brilliant!'이 될 수 있습니다. 너무 반사적으로 쓰여서 때로는 '알겠어, 좋아' 정도의 의미밖에 없을 때도 있습니다.

Examples

That was absolutely brilliant!
那真的太棒了！
¡Eso fue absolutamente genial!
あれは本当に最高だった！
그거 정말 최고였어!
The concert was brilliant—you should have been there.
演唱会太精彩了，你应该去的
El concierto fue genial, deberías haber estado allí
コンサートは素晴らしかったよ。来ればよかったのに
콘서트 정말 대단했어—너도 왔으면 좋았을 텐데.
Brilliant, I'll see you at eight then.
太好了，那我们八点见
Genial, nos vemos a las ocho entonces
いいね、じゃあ8時にね
좋아, 그럼 8시에 보자.
She's a brilliant cook.
她做饭特别好
Es una cocinera fantástica
彼女は料理がすごく上手だよ
그녀는 요리 솜씨가 정말 뛰어나.
Oh brilliant, another rainy day.' (sarcastic)
讽刺
sarcástico
皮肉
아 좋겠다, 또 비 오는 날이네. (비꼬는 말)

Pronunciation

/ˈbrɪljənt/

Usage Guide

Context: friends, family, work, casual formal

Tone: enthusiastic, approving, sometimes sarcastic

✓ Do Say

That's brilliant!
太好了！
¡Genial!
素晴らしい！
훌륭해!
Brilliant, thank you.
那太棒了。
Eso es genial.
それは最高だ。
그거 대단하다.
What a brilliant idea!
绝对精彩。
Absolutamente genial.
本当に素晴らしい。
정말 훌륭해.

✗ Don't Say

Be aware of tone—can sound sarcastic if delivered flatly
非常英式的用法
Uso muy británico
とてもイギリス的な用法
매우 영국식 용법
Overuse can make it lose impact
美国人不会这么随意地使用
Los estadounidenses lo usan menos de manera informal
アメリカ人はこんなにカジュアルには使わない
미국인은 이렇게 캐주얼하게 쓰지 않음

Common Mistakes

Americans may find excessive use of 'brilliant' unusual
Can sound sarcastic—be aware of your tone

Origin & History

The word 'brilliant' comes from French 'brillant' (sparkling), originally describing light and gems. Its evolution into British slang for 'excellent' happened gradually through the 20th century. The British tendency to use it for general approval—not just for things that are intellectually or visually brilliant—distinguishes British usage from American.

Etymology: From French 'brillant' (sparkling, shining), extended metaphorically to mean excellent

First recorded: Slang usage common from mid-20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Mid-20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: The Guinness 'Brilliant!' advertising campaign; Dr Who frequently says 'Brilliant!'

Regional notes: Very British usage. Americans would more likely say 'awesome' or 'great' in the same contexts.

Variations

Absolutely brilliantJust brilliantBrilliant stuff