noun A European flatfish that resembles a turbot.
Scophthalmus rhombus, family Scophthalmidae (or Bothidae)
Example sentences
‘Here the lettuce is wilted in chicken stock and served as a brothy bed for a fine white fish such as brill.’ ‘The lakes, rivers and bay all combine to provide the choicest seafood - brill, turbot and trout.’ ‘For the main, the Gardener had the roasted brill with scallops, leek risotto with barolo sauce.’ ‘A difficult matter, lots of choice - from braised oxtail to brill - and everything sounded so delicious’ ‘The roasted brill with artichokes and baby potato gratin sounded particularly good.’ Origin Late 15th century: of unknown origin.
adjective British informal Excellent; marvellous.
as exclamation ‘‘She says I can spend half-term with you.’ ‘Hey, brill!’’
More example sentences
‘The music is always fantastic and the atmosphere is brill.’ ‘The game holds much resemblance to the brill Sci-Fi movies Back to the Future.’ ‘The decor is brill and the atmosphere on another level.’ ‘Customers are great, music's brill and the barstaff are the best in the city.’ Synonyms
excellent , marvellous, superb, very good, first-rate, first-class, wonderful, outstanding, exceptional, magnificent, splendid, superlative, matchless, peerless
View synonyms Origin 1980s: abbreviation of brilliant.