brill: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “brill” mean?
(British English, informal) An adjective meaning 'excellent', 'wonderful', or 'fantastic'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(British English, informal) An adjective meaning 'excellent', 'wonderful', or 'fantastic'.
(British English, informal) A very positive and emphatic term of approval for an experience, object, or person. Can also function as an exclamation ('Brill!').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually exclusive to British English. An American speaker would be unlikely to use 'brill' and might not understand it.
Connotations
In British English: very informal, slightly dated (peak use 1980s-90s), enthusiastic. In American English: not used; unknown.
Frequency
Low frequency overall, even in the UK. More common in spoken language than written. Mostly used by older generations recalling its heyday or in nostalgic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “brill” in a Sentence
S+V (predicative adjective): That was brill.Exclamatory: Brill!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brill” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The party last night was brill!
- You got the job? That's brill news.
- 'We're getting a puppy.' 'Brill!'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Considered unprofessional.
Academic
Not used. Considered inappropriate for formal writing.
Everyday
Used in very informal British conversation, often with friends or family.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brill”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it with American audiences who won't understand it.
- Overusing it, as it sounds dated.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very informal, colloquial abbreviation of 'brilliant', used almost exclusively in British English.
They can, but it will immediately mark them as using a British colloquialism. Most Americans would say 'awesome' or 'great' instead.
It can function as both. As an adjective: 'That's brill.' As an exclamation: 'Brill! I've passed!'
It peaked in popularity in the late 20th century (1980s/90s). While still understood, frequent use today can sound nostalgic or slightly dated.
(British English, informal) An adjective meaning 'excellent', 'wonderful', or 'fantastic'.
Brill is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Brill: in British English it is pronounced /brɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) brill as buttons (rare, reinforcing idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'brill' as a short, snappy clip from the more common word 'brilliant', like a spark of excellence.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUALITY IS LIGHT/SPARKLE (related to 'brilliant').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'brill' be MOST appropriate?