spoiler
Americannoun
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spoilers
plural
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a person or thing that spoils.
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a person who robs or ravages; despoiler; plunderer.
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Aeronautics. a device used to break up the airflow around an aerodynamic surface, as an aircraft wing, in order to slow the movement through the air or to decrease the lift on the surface and, as a result, provide bank or descent control.
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Automotive. a similar device for changing the airflow past a moving vehicle, often having the form of a transverse fin or blade mounted at the front or rear to reduce lift and increase traction at high speeds.
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Sports. a team out of final contention that defeats a potential or favored contender and thereby thwarts its chances of winning a championship.
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any competitor, entrant, or candidate who has no chance of ultimate victory but does well enough to spoil the chances of another.
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information about a plot or event in a movie, book, or show that may spoil the suspense or surprise.
Spoilers were leaked before the movie was released. Spoiler alert! Do not read further if you haven't already seen the season finale.
noun
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plunderer or robber
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a person or thing that causes spoilage or corruption
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a device fitted to an aircraft wing to increase drag and reduce lift. It is usually extended into the airflow to assist descent and banking Compare air brake
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a similar device fitted to a car
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sport a competitor who adopts spoiling tactics, as in boxing
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a magazine, newspaper, etc produced specifically to coincide with the production of a rival magazine, newspaper, etc in order to divert public interest and reduce its sales
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of spoiler
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
You don’t need a spoiler alert to know that he indeed does play Rocky, and the second half of the film re-creates the movie’s production, which, because of the shoestring budget, was arduous.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
The system then worked, with Alaska courts clarifying the ballot, Sen. Sullivan using the spoiler as an argument against Peltola in the campaign, and the media uncovering what had happened.
From Slate ● Oct. 31, 2026
Access to Elizabeth Holmes, a memeable trailer and spoiler warnings all played their parts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
But like every staple in modern life, spoiler anxiety didn’t turn ubiquitous overnight, even if it might seem that way.
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2026
But she needs to be able to beg Voldemort for Harry’s life, she needs to think he might die, and you’re the worst spoiler in the world that didn’t turn out to be true .
From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling
Anyone vigilant about spoilers has adapted their own methods of avoiding them.
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2026
This article contains spoilers for “You Can See Everything.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
This story contains spoilers for Episode 8 of HBO Max’s “Lanterns.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2026
When it comes to films and TV series, spoilers tend to be guarded against with warnings.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
JP and I have held off on reading the new book, and we’re avoiding all spoilers until we get our copies signed.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
