brilliance means the quality of being exceptionally effulgent (giving off light). It carries an Arena rating of 1711, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, brilliance ranks #669 of 17,134 for Most Malleable Words, #6,201 of 17,124 for Most Sublime Words, #6,811 of 17,130 for Most Beautiful Words, #7,926 of 17,126 for Most Satisfying to Say.
brilliance is pronounced /ˈbɹɪljən(t)s/.
Why “brilliance” is a great word
The quality of being exceptionally bright, either literally through radiance or figuratively through extraordinary intelligence or magnificence. From English brilliant (from French brillant, present participle of briller 'to shine,' from Italian brillare, possibly from Latin beryllus 'beryl, a precious stone') + the noun-forming suffix -ance. Formed within English by derivation; first attested c. 1755. Unlike 'brilliancy,' which often clings to the literal gleam of a chandelier, or 'genius,' which names the innate, dormant faculty, brilliance is the visible effect—the arc of light cast when intellect or artistry ignites. It is the sudden glare of a solved equation on a chalkboard at dawn, the devastating, sunlit clarity of a trumpet note held perfectly in a silent hall, and the cold, pitiless glitter of a galaxy viewed from a lightless void—intelligence made manifest, and in that manifestation, made lonely.
Etymology
From brilliant + -ance. Compare French brillance.
noun
- The quality of being exceptionally effulgent (giving off light).
- The quality of having extraordinary mental capacity.
- Magnificence; resplendence.e.g.“What brilliance it took from Harry Kane to control the cross and place the ball into the top corner.”
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Words closest in meaning
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