party pooper

American  

[pahr-tee poo-per] / ˈpɑr ti ˌpu pər /

Or party-pooper

noun

Slang.

1. a person who does not have the interest or vitality to participate actively in a party or other social activity and whose mood, attitude, or personality lessens others' enjoyment; killjoy.

   Don't be a party pooper—have a beer!

2. a person who does not share the opinions, ideas, or enthusiasm of others in a group: I don’t mean to be a party pooper here, but I didn’t find the movie all that funny.

   There are party poopers who say the drop in gas prices won’t last.

   I don’t mean to be a party pooper here, but I didn’t find the movie all that funny.

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party pooper British  

/ ˈpuːpə /

noun

1. informal a person whose behaviour or personality spoils other people's enjoyment

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Etymology

Origin of party pooper

First recorded in 1940–45; poop ³ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

"Maybe some guidelines on where's safe to be would be good, I wouldn't want to be a party pooper for the young kids that love it."

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2025

“Maybe there are ways not to be a party pooper, but to still have something pretty in the sky to look at, and not cause a big amount of pollution,” she said.

From New York Times • Jul. 4, 2023

Olsen: That does not make you a party pooper at all, Christina.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2023

The wannabe party pooper finally emerged last week at the Washington Post in an opinion column headlined, "Real people don't care about George Santos."

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2023

“Don’t be such a party pooper, Albie. Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up being treasurer just like me, huh?”

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff