1. Characterized by exceptional intelligence, talent, or ability:
* "She's a brilliant scientist, renowned for her groundbreaking research."
* "His performance was brilliant, full of energy and charisma."
2. Shining brightly:
* "The diamonds on her necklace were brilliant."
* "The sun was brilliant in the clear blue sky."
3. Very good or excellent:
* "That's a brilliant idea! We should definitely do that."
* "The restaurant had a brilliant atmosphere."
4. Highly colorful and lively:
* "The parrot's plumage was brilliant, with vibrant reds and greens."
* "The painting was a masterpiece, full of brilliant colors."
5. (Informal) Extremely clever or witty:
* "That's a brilliant joke!"
* "He's a brilliant comedian, always coming up with hilarious lines."
The meaning of "brilliant" will usually be clear from the context of the sentence.