French word

briller

Pronunciation

IPA/bʁije/

Meaning

  • verbshine

Example

Le soleil brille dans le ciel.

The sun shines in the sky.

Illustration for briller (shine)

More examples

Elle brille par son intelligence.

She stands out for her intelligence.

Core concept

A source or reflective surface shines brightly enough to draw attention from its surroundings.

Common phrases

  • briller de mille feux

    shine with dazzling brilliance

  • briller au soleil

    shine in the sun

  • briller par son intelligence

    stand out for one's intelligence

Similar words

rayonner: To radiate light or heat outward across a broad area.
refléter: To reflect incoming light toward another direction.
scintiller: To twinkle with brief, intermittent flashes of tiny points of light.
luire: To glow with a soft, constant light.

Definition in French

Émettre ou refléter une lumière vive et attirer le regard.

Word origin

The French verb briller comes through Old French brillier from Medieval Latin berillare, linked to Latin beryllus and Greek beryllos, the word for beryl.

Usage tips

  • The final -er in briller has the French sound of 'é', and the whole verb is pronounced roughly like 'bree-yay'.

Other meanings

  • sparkleverb
  • stand outverb

Opposites

  • s'éteindrego outverb
  • ternirtarnishverb

Related words

Word lists with this word