cliffhanger

American  

[klif-hang-er] / ˈklɪfˌhæŋ ər /

Or cliff-hanger

noun

1. a melodramatic or adventure serial in which each installment ends in suspense in order to interest the reader or viewer in the next installment.

2. a single installment in such a serial.

3. a suspenseful movie, novel, etc.

4. the suspenseful ending itself.

5. a situation or contest of which the outcome is suspensefully uncertain up to the very last moment.

   The game was a cliffhanger, but our team finally won.

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cliffhanger British  

/ ˈklɪfˌhæŋə /

noun

1. 1. a situation of imminent disaster usually occurring at the end of each episode of a serialized film

   2. the serialized film itself

2. a situation that is dramatic or uncertain

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Other Word Forms

• cliffhanging adjective

Etymology

Origin of cliffhanger

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Example Sentences

It allowed him to indulge his love of classic cliffhanger serials, and he tapped Spielberg to direct “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

From Los Angeles Times

Throughout the eight-episode season, which ends on a major cliffhanger, “The ‘Burbs” is always trying to make its audience question what is really going on.

From Los Angeles Times

The final had opened with viewers discovering the outcome of a cliffhanger from the end of Thursday's episode about whether Rachel or James would be banished after two ties in a roundtable vote.

From BBC

What I appreciated about the season finale last year, especially in this world of TV where you feel like you need to have this epic cliffhanger, was how true to life it felt.

From Los Angeles Times

Back in the current Archers timeline, fans were left on tenterhooks by the cliffhanger broadcast on New Year's Eve, when a dramatic attack shook the village.

From BBC

Related Words

• close call
• shocker