The difference between Brilliant and Excellent

When used as adjectives, brilliant means shining brightly, whereas excellent means of the highest quality.


Brilliant is also noun with the meaning: a finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to maximize light return through the top (called "table") of the stone.

Excellent is also adverb with the meaning: excellently.

check bellow for the other definitions of Brilliant and Excellent

  1. Brilliant as an adjective:

    Shining brightly.

    Examples:

    "the brilliant lights along the promenade"

  2. Brilliant as an adjective (of a colour):

    Both bright and saturated.

    Examples:

    "butterflies with brilliant blue wings"

  3. Brilliant as an adjective (of a voice or sound):

    having a sharp, clear tone

  4. Brilliant as an adjective:

    Of surpassing excellence.

    Examples:

    "The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant."

  5. Brilliant as an adjective:

    Magnificent or wonderful.

  6. Brilliant as an adjective:

    Highly intelligent.

    Examples:

    "She is a brilliant scientist."

  1. Brilliant as a noun:

    A finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, cut in a particular form with numerous facets so as to maximize light return through the top (called "table") of the stone.

  2. Brilliant as a noun (uncountable, printing, dated):

    The size of type between excelsior and diamond, standardized as 4-point.

  3. Brilliant as a noun:

    Most hummingbird species of the genus Heliodoxa.

  4. Brilliant as a noun:

    A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.

  1. Excellent as an adjective:

    Of the highest quality; splendid.

  2. Excellent as an adjective:

    Exceptionally good of its kind.

  3. Excellent as an adjective:

    Superior in kind or degree, irrespective of moral quality.

  1. Excellent as an adverb (obsolete):

    Excellently.