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Brilliant vs Shrewd - What's the difference?

brilliant | shrewd |

As adjectives the difference between brilliant and shrewd

is that brilliant is shining brightly while shrewd is showing clever resourcefulness in practical matters.

As a noun brilliant

is a finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, having many facets.

brilliant

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Shining brightly.
    • the brilliant lights along the promenade
  • (of a colour) Both bright and saturated.
    • butterflies with brilliant blue wings
  • (of a voice or sound) having a sharp, clear tone
  • Of surpassing excellence.
    • The actor's performance in the play was simply brilliant .
  • Magnificent or wonderful.
  • Highly intelligent.
    • She is a brilliant scientist.

    Synonyms

    * (shining brightly) glittering, shining * * * (surpassing excellence) excellent, distinctive, striking, superb (obsolete except in UK usage) * (magnificent or wonderful) exceptional, glorious, magnificent, marvellous/marvelous, splendid, wonderful (obsolete except in UK usage) * (highly intelligent) brainy, ingenious * See also

    Related terms

    * brilliance * brilliantine * brilliantness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A finely cut gemstone, especially a diamond, having many facets.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • This snuffbox — on the hinge see brilliants shine.
  • * 1891 , Arthur Conan Doyle, A Case of Identity
    • “And the ring?” I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sparkled upon his finger.
  • (printing) A small size of type.
  • A kind of cotton goods, figured on the weaving.

    • External links

    * * * ----

    shrewd

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • showing clever resourcefulness in practical matters
  • artful, tricky or cunning
  • streetwise
  • *
  • knowledgeable
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=November 10 , author=Jeremy Wilson , title=tEngland Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report , work=Telegraph citation , page= , passage=The most persistent tormentor was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who scored a hat-trick in last month’s corresponding fixture in Iceland. His ability to run at defences is instantly striking, but it is his clever use of possession that has persuaded some shrewd judges that he is an even better prospect than Theo Walcott. }}
  • (archaic) Scolding, satirical, sharp.
  • * 1599 ,
    • LEONATO. By my troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.

    Derived terms

    * shrewdly * shrewdness