brilliance

brilliance — noun

1. exceptional cleverness or high-level skill that makes a person, idea, or perform

1.nounB2
Definition

exceptional cleverness or high-level skill that makes a person, idea, or performance stand out strongly

Example

Professor Chen's brilliance solved the bridge problem before sunrise.

show brilliance in solving a problem

Even tired fans saw flashes of brilliance in the young player's passing.

flash of brilliance

Common collocations
  • academic brilliance
  • technical brilliance
  • flash of brilliance
  • show brilliance
  • brilliance in design
Synonyms
  • genius

    stronger and often suggests an exceptional natural gift, not just one impressive act

  • intelligence

    broader and more neutral, with less focus on how striking the quality feels

  • talent

    can be more natural ability, while 'brilliance' often highlights the effect it has

  • skill

    more practical and general, without the sense of being outstanding

Antonyms
  • stupidity

    lack of good judgment or intelligence

  • incompetence

    lack of the ability or skill needed to do something well

Grammar Patterns

show brilliance

brilliance in + subject or activity

flash of brilliance

brilliance lies in + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often appears in phrases such as academic brilliance, technical brilliance, and flash of brilliance. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about powerful light or colour rather than mental power or skill.

Common Mistakes

She has many brilliances in math.
She shows great brilliance in math.
this sense is usually uncountable.
His brilliance at the piano is amazing.
His brilliance on the piano is amazing.
use 'on' for an instrument, not 'at', when naming what someone plays.

2. strong brightness from light or colour, often so bright that it seems almost daz

2.nounB2
Definition

strong brightness from light or colour, often so bright that it seems almost dazzling

Example

The lake's brilliance hurt our eyes at noon.

the brilliance of strong light

Under stage lamps, the silk dress kept its blue brilliance.

colour brilliance

Common collocations
  • the brilliance of the sun
  • diamond brilliance
  • colour brilliance
  • icy brilliance
  • blinding brilliance
Synonyms
  • brightness

    the general word and less intense than 'brilliance'

  • radiance

    suggests warm or beautiful light spreading outward

  • glow

    usually softer and steadier, not as sharp or intense

  • splendour

    more literary and can include grandeur as well as brightness

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

the brilliance of + light source

colour brilliance

with brilliance

Usage Note

Mostly seen in descriptive or literary writing, especially with 'of' plus a light source, colour, or shining surface. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about remarkable intelligence or skill.

Common Mistakes

The brilliances of the jewels filled the room.
The brilliance of the jewels filled the room.
this sense is normally uncountable.
We admired the brilliance from the red cloth.
We admired the brilliance of the red cloth.
'of' is the usual pattern when naming what shines.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Brilliance' is used when intelligence or skill feels striking and easy to notice. It often points to the effect a person, idea, or performance has on other people. 'Genius' is stronger: it suggests an unusually high natural gift and is often used for a person rather than one moment. 'Intelligence' is broader and more neutral, covering mental ability in general. 'Talent' usually focuses on natural ability in a particular area, such as music or sport, and does not always suggest the same wow effect. You might say a student shows 'intelligence' in class, a singer has 'talent', but a last-minute winning pass or a simple, elegant design shows real 'brilliance'.

brilliance ↗genius ↗intelligence ↗talent ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • the brilliance of something

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinItalianFrenchEnglish

Recorded in English in the mid-1700s, 'brilliance' was built from 'brilliant' and the noun ending '-ance'. 'Brilliant' came into English through French from Italian 'brillare', meaning 'to sparkle', and it may go back to a Latin word linked to beryl, a shining precious stone. The earliest meaning was about strong light, and the idea of exceptional intelligence or skill grew later from the image of something that shines and stands out.