Crossword Genius

Excellent fish ain't at sea! (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

brilliant

'excellent' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'fish ain't at sea' is the wordplay.
'fish' becomes 'brill' (brill is a kind of fish).
'at sea' is an anagram indicator.
'aint' anagrammed gives 'iant'.
'brill'+'iant'='BRILLIANT'

(Other definitions for brilliant that I've seen before include "Brainy" , "Exceptionally clever" , "Superb" , "Lustrous" , "'Wonderful, dazzling (9)'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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