# brill

/ˈbɹɪɫ/ (US) · /bɹˈɪl/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brill
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

very good or wonderful. It is a short way of saying 'brilliant' and is used in casual conversation.

For teachers: excellent, impressive, or highly pleasing. A clipped form of 'brilliant' used in informal British English.

## Examples

- That movie we saw last night was absolutely brill.
- I had a brill time at the concert and can't wait to see them perform again.
- While some critics found the play a bit simplistic, the general audience thought the lead actor's performance was brill and gave him a standing ovation.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is a brill person." but "He is a brilliant person." — While 'brill' is common in casual speech, it can sound overly childish or dated when used as an attributive adjective in writing; 'brilliant' is preferred.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a predicative adjective after linking verbs like 'be', 'look', or 'sound'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.