brilliance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'brilliance' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is outstanding or particularly skillful or intelligent. For example, "Alice's brilliance as a chess player was evident in the way she effortlessly defeated her opponents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Film

Politics

Technology

Lifestyle

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The brilliance of the Graetz plan is that no tax expenditures need to be repealed.

The New York Times

That's often the brilliance of a thought, that people put their own meaning in to it," says Hegarty, one of the founders of the BBH agency, recalling his trip 30 years ago to the Audi workshop during which the genus of the idea was born.

The Guardian

It says a lot about Poehler's unflagging brilliance that her long overdue win for Best Actress in a Comedy TV Series wasn't even the best Poehler moment of the night.

The Guardian - Film

"So you're resting, are you?" they chortle, before grinning at the sheer brilliance of their repartee.

The Guardian

It is sad that he never recaptured the political heights despite bursts of brilliance, and never found a new political role big enough for his talents.

The Guardian - Opinion

For anyone needing a reminder of his brilliance at this stage of his career it's worth reliving his man-of-the-match display in the 1986 FA Cup final, which Liverpool won 3-1 against Everton to seal the Double.

The Guardian - Sport

The critic Elizabeth Hardwick praised "a haunting creation, rich with incident and human bafflement, played out in an immense detail of landscape rendered with poignant brilliance".

The Guardian - Books

That usual head-to-head battle, boring with their brilliance, fighting among themselves and obliterating all others became a three-way thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Not fawning – showing the humour and brilliance of the man".

The Guardian

Root was more forthcoming on the destructive brilliance of AB de Villiers, whose 31-ball century against West Indies at Johannesburg on Sunday was the fastest in one-day internationals.

The Guardian - Sport

But while in psychotic patients these traits are too pathological to allow creativity, in a healthy individual they can contribute towards brilliance and inspiration".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing intellectual prowess, consider using "brilliance" to convey a sense of extraordinary mental capacity or innovative thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "brilliance" to describe ordinary achievements or attributes. Reserve it for truly exceptional qualities or accomplishments.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "brilliance" is as a noun, referring to the quality of being exceptionally intelligent or skillful. Ludwig provides many examples where "brilliance" describes an individual's exceptional talent or a creation's outstanding quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Sport

16%

Books

8%

Less common in

Film

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brilliance" functions as a noun used to describe the quality of exceptional talent, intellect, or skill. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage and demonstrates its prevalence across various contexts, notably in news, media, and sports reporting. While versatile, it's most effective when reserved for truly outstanding qualities. Consider alternatives like "exceptional talent" or ""sheer genius"" for nuanced expression. Avoid overuse in mundane situations to maintain its impact. Using "brilliance" allows writers to convey admiration or highlight the extraordinary nature of a subject effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sheer genius

Conveys a sense of innate, extraordinary mental capacity, akin to "brilliance".

exceptional talent

Focuses on the inherent ability someone possesses, a core aspect of "brilliance".

remarkable skill

Highlights the honed proficiency in a specific area, similar to one facet of "brilliance".

astounding intellect

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of brilliance, highlighting intelligence.

inspired creativity

Focuses on the innovative and imaginative aspects of brilliance.

outstanding performance

Emphasizes the result of brilliance, showcasing exceptional achievement.

striking ingenuity

Highlights the inventiveness and cleverness associated with brilliance.

impressive aptitude

Highlights a natural inclination or talent, related to potential for "brilliance".

dazzling display

Emphasizes a visually impressive manifestation of brilliance, often in performance or skill.

radiant splendor

Shifts the focus to visual brilliance, emphasizing magnificence and luminosity.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "brilliance" in a sentence?

Use "brilliance" to denote exceptional intellectual capacity, striking innovation, or remarkable skill. For instance, "Her "sheer genius" was evident in her groundbreaking research."

What are some alternatives to the word "brilliance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "exceptional talent", ""sheer genius"", or "remarkable skill" to convey similar meanings.

How does the meaning of "brilliance" differ from "intelligence"?

"Brilliance" suggests a more outstanding or exceptional level of mental capacity than simple "intelligence". It often implies innovation and creativity.

Is it correct to use "brilliance" to describe a visual display?

Yes, "brilliance" can describe visual displays, referring to their radiance, splendor, or striking beauty. An alternative for this use could be "radiant splendor".