German word

brillant

Pronunciation

IPA/bʁɪˈljant/

Meaning

  • adjectiveexcellent

Example

Sie hat brillante Leistungen gezeigt.

She has demonstrated excellent performance.

Illustration for brillant (excellent)

More examples

Die Sängerin verfügt über eine brillante Stimme.

The singer has an excellent voice.

Core concept

A performance or idea shines with exceptional quality and leaves a striking impression.

Common phrases

  • brillante Stimme

    excellent voice

  • brillantes Spiel

    excellent performance

  • brillante Formulierung

    excellent wording

Similar words

klasse: A casual way to praise something as very good.
toll: A warm, familiar expression of delighted praise.
hervorragend: Outstanding by professional standards and highly regarded.
ausgezeichnet: Showing exceptionally high quality or achievement.

Definition in German

Außerordentlich gut oder glänzend in Leistung, Idee oder Darstellung; lobend und oft gehoben verwendet.

Word origin

German brillant was borrowed from French brillant, the present participle of briller, meaning 'to shine'.

Usage tips

  • In attributive use, brillant takes normal adjective endings, as in brillante Leistungen; after sein, it remains brillant.

Other meanings

  • splendidadjective
  • dazzlingadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Brillanzbrilliancenoun
  • brillierenexcelverb

Word lists with this word