a brilliant dancer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brilliant dancer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who excels in dancing, highlighting their skill and talent. Example: "She captivated the audience with her performance; she truly is a brilliant dancer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He's a brilliant dancer.

The New York Times

He was a rocker and a brilliant dancer and he wore winklepickers and wraparound shades.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"And besides, he's a brilliant dancer". It's telling that his praise began with the solicitous behavior of Mr. Evans, who exudes warmth onstage and off.

The New York Times - Arts

The other soloists were Alexander Ritter, always a brilliant dancer; Rachel Rutherford as his sexy partner; and Pascale van Kipnis, warm and sophisticated.

The New York Times - Arts

David Leventhal, a brilliant dancer of a more balletic type, was the terrified boy, and Charlton Boyd was a witty bogeyman, the erlking.

The New York Times

Asuncion Noales, in red and a brilliant dancer, has an expansive solo that is then distilled into an image of purification by Lorenza Di Calogero, in white.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He has stolen a prima ballerina away from his protege, a brilliant, impetuous dancer named Cooper Nielsen Ethan Stiefell), who in turn steals Jody, an insecure dancer in training (Amanda Schull), away from one of her classmates (Sascha Radetsky).

The New York Times

This girl, a brilliant ballet dancer, grows up to be Cate Blanchett; as their ages converge, Daisy and Benjamin have a brief, passionate love affair, before the contra-flow of time takes them away from each other: ships that pass in the night.

The Guardian - Film

It's fascinating to turn from Mr. Mitchell to Silas Riener, who is probably the company's most technically brilliant dancer.

The New York Times - Arts

It's amazing to see the polish this brilliant dancer has steadily developed, even if she hasn't yet acquired the full-ballerina air of taking responsibility for her entire stage world.

The New York Times - Arts

His posture has real glamour (and his face has charmingly deep-grooved dimples); he does all kinds of trills with his feet (especially while traveling sideways); and in several aspects he, not Ms. Barrio, was the most brilliant dancer of the program.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brilliant dancer" to positively highlight an individual's exceptional skill and artistry in dance, whether describing technique, performance, or overall talent.

Common error

Avoid describing someone as "a brilliant dancer" if their skills are merely adequate or average. Save this phrase for individuals who truly demonstrate exceptional talent and mastery of their craft.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brilliant dancer" functions as a noun phrase, with "brilliant" modifying the noun "dancer". It serves to describe and emphasize the exceptional quality of the dancer's skills. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is used to positively commend an individual's exceptional talent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brilliant dancer" is a phrase used to describe an individual with exceptional skill and artistry in dance. It's grammatically correct and, as Ludwig AI confirms, suitable for use in various contexts, though it is best reserved for those who truly demonstrate remarkable talent. While alternatives like "an exceptional dancer" or "a remarkably talented dancer" exist, the core meaning remains consistent: highlighting extraordinary dance ability. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, reflecting its use in describing notable performers and artists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptional dancer

Replaces "brilliant" with "exceptional", emphasizing the dancer's skill is beyond ordinary.

a remarkably talented dancer

Uses "remarkably talented" to highlight the dancer's innate ability and skill level.

a highly skilled dancer

Focuses on the dancer's proficiency and expertise in dance techniques.

a superb dancer

Substitutes "brilliant" with "superb", conveying the dancer's outstanding quality and performance.

a prodigious dancer

Emphasizes the dancer's extraordinary talent and early development.

an extraordinarily gifted dancer

Uses "extraordinarily gifted" to stress the dancer's natural aptitude and inherent talent.

a masterful dancer

Highlights the dancer's control, precision, and artistry in their movements.

an accomplished dancer

Emphasizes the dancer's achievements and expertise acquired through training and experience.

a world-class dancer

Indicates the dancer's skill and recognition are at the highest international level.

a virtuosic dancer

Showcases the dancer's exceptional technical skill and artistry.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "a brilliant dancer"?

You can use alternatives like "an exceptional dancer", "a remarkably talented dancer", or "a highly skilled dancer" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe any dancer as "a brilliant dancer"?

While you can use the phrase "a brilliant dancer", it is best reserved for those who demonstrate exceptional skill, technique, and artistry. Using it indiscriminately can dilute its impact.

How does "a brilliant dancer" differ from "a good dancer"?

"A good dancer" implies a competent level of skill. "A brilliant dancer" suggests an extraordinary level of talent, mastery, and artistry that sets them apart.

Can "a brilliant dancer" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "a brilliant dancer" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.