bright spark
noun
British, informal + disapproving
: a person who says or does something that seems intelligent but is really not
Who's the bright spark who came up with this rotten idea?
Examples of bright spark in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While forward Vinícius Júnior has been a bright spark for the team during the tournament, other players such as Raphinha have struggled to perform.
—
Tushaar Kuthiala,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 June 2026
The sales company’s formation could be seen as a bright spark in the troubled global animation sector, with many shows struggling for financing and distribution complicated by direct-to-consumer models.
—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Losing 3-0 at half-time, Dejan Kulusevski was their only bright spark.
—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
At some point along this path, at around the time of the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, some bright spark came upon the idea of fermenting alcohol.
—
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Everleigh, my bright spark - chase your dreams boldly and without fear.
—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Dec. 2025
Everleigh, my bright spark — chase your dreams boldly and without fear.
—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
3 Dec. 2025
The equalizer on 84 minutes set up a tense additional half hour of extra half time, with Fermin Lopez a bright spark for the Catalans who looked dangerous while Gavi did his best to contain an outstanding Jude Bellingham.
—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Alcaraz excites on debut At least new signing Carlos Alcaraz was a bright spark.
—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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Tushaar Kuthiala,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 June 2026
The sales company’s formation could be seen as a bright spark in the troubled global animation sector, with many shows struggling for financing and distribution complicated by direct-to-consumer models.
—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Losing 3-0 at half-time, Dejan Kulusevski was their only bright spark.
—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
At some point along this path, at around the time of the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, some bright spark came upon the idea of fermenting alcohol.
—
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Everleigh, my bright spark - chase your dreams boldly and without fear.
—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Dec. 2025
Everleigh, my bright spark — chase your dreams boldly and without fear.
—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
3 Dec. 2025
The equalizer on 84 minutes set up a tense additional half hour of extra half time, with Fermin Lopez a bright spark for the Catalans who looked dangerous while Gavi did his best to contain an outstanding Jude Bellingham.
—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Alcaraz excites on debut At least new signing Carlos Alcaraz was a bright spark.
—
Patrick Boyland,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bright spark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bright%20spark. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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