brillant

Brillant is a masculine form of the French adjective meaning shining, bright, or excellent. The feminine form is brillante, and the plural forms are brillants (masculine) and brillantes (feminine). It is used to describe surfaces that reflect light as well as abstract qualities such as intelligence or talent, with phrases like un esprit brillant or une idée brillante.

Etymology and usage in French lie with the verb briller, meaning “to shine.” The -ant suffix is common for present participles and adjectives in French, and the word conveys both literal and figurative brightness. In English, the standard spelling is brilliant, and brillant is typically encountered only in French loan passages or as a proper noun.

In the context of jewelry, the French term diamant brillant designates the classic brilliant cut diamond, a widely used specification in French-speaking markets. In English-speaking markets, the corresponding term is often “brilliant cut.” The adjective form is used in many languages to describe something that shines, sparkles, or stands out, but English usage generally favors “brilliant” with this meaning.

As a surname and in some brand or product names, brillant can appear in various regions with French linguistic influence. It may also occur in historical texts or literary works that reference French vocabulary.

Overall, brillant functions as a versatile descriptor of light, quality, or distinction in French, while its English counterpart is more widely standardized as brilliant. The word’s primary association remains with brightness, whether literal or figurative.