Definition

The quality of being very bright or showing great intelligence and talent.

Example

The artist's brilliancy was evident in every stroke of her brush.

Conversation

Did you see the new art exhibit downtown?

Yeah, it was amazing! The brilliancy of the colors really stood out.

I know, right? It’s like each piece had its own story.

Exactly! The artist's talent is truly something special.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Brilliancy is formed from "brilliant" (from Latin "brillare", meaning to shine) and the suffix "-ancy" (meaning the state or quality of). The word refers to the state of being brilliant or shining brightly.

Memory Tip

Think of something that 'shines' ('brillare') and the '-ancy' indicating a state. This helps you remember that 'brilliancy' means the quality of shining brightly.

Visually Confused Words