brilliant idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"brilliant idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express approval and admiration for an idea. For example, "That's a brilliant idea - let's try it!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brilliant idea.

The Guardian - Tech

It's a brilliant idea.

Independent

What a brilliant idea!

Forbes

It's still a brilliant idea.

The New York Times

A brilliant idea, perfectly executed.

Independent

It was a brilliant idea.

The New York Times

That's actually a brilliant idea.

The Guardian

IT SOUNDED like a brilliant idea.

The Economist

"I thought it was a brilliant idea".

The New York Times

IT IS a simple but brilliant idea.

The Economist

I think that's a brilliant idea.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brilliant idea" when you want to express strong approval and admiration for a plan, suggestion, or concept. It conveys enthusiasm and positive judgment.

Common error

While "brilliant idea" is widely applicable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "innovative approach" or "exceptional insight" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brilliant idea" functions primarily as an evaluative expression, serving to positively assess and highlight the quality of a thought, plan, or suggestion. It's used to denote not just a good idea, but one that is notably clever, innovative, or effective, as evidenced by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brilliant idea" is a common and generally accepted way to express strong approval and admiration for a thought or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, and its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While "brilliant idea" is suitable for general communication, more formal alternatives like "innovative approach" or "exceptional insight" may be preferable in academic or professional settings. Ludwig’s analysis shows that this phrase is frequently used to convey enthusiasm and encourage the development or implementation of the idea being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excellent concept

Replaces 'brilliant' with 'excellent' and 'idea' with 'concept', offering a slightly more formal tone.

outstanding notion

Substitutes 'brilliant' with 'outstanding' and 'idea' with 'notion', suggesting a particularly remarkable thought.

inspired thought

Emphasizes the creativity behind the idea.

remarkable plan

Focuses on the practicality and intention of the idea as a plan.

exceptional insight

Highlights the depth and understanding the idea provides.

genius proposal

Implies a high level of intelligence and ingenuity in the suggested course of action.

smart move

Conveys the cleverness and strategic advantage of the idea.

clever scheme

Suggests an inventive and resourceful plan.

bright spark

An informal way to describe a sudden and innovative idea.

innovative approach

Focuses on the novelty and originality of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "brilliant idea" in a sentence?

You can use "brilliant idea" to express admiration for a plan or suggestion, for example, "That's a "brilliant idea"! Let's implement it immediately."

What's a more formal alternative to "brilliant idea"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "exceptional insight", "innovative approach", or "outstanding concept".

Is "brilliant idea" suitable for academic writing?

While acceptable, "brilliant idea" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Using alternatives like "remarkable thesis" or "significant contribution" may be more appropriate.

How does "brilliant idea" compare to "good idea"?

"Brilliant idea" expresses a stronger level of admiration and enthusiasm than "good idea". It implies that the idea is not just satisfactory, but exceptionally clever or effective.