Theater. a performer, performance, or musical number that wins enthusiastic or prolonged applause.
The singer proves that she is simply a show-stopper after her resoundingly successful debut.
a spectacularly arresting or appealing person or thing.
This bright plaid suit is a real show-stopper.
a significant obstacle or problem, especially one halting a process already underway.
The bug was a show-stopper, delaying the game's release by months.
First recorded in 1945–50
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While stumbling over the lyrics to “Matchmaker,” “Fiddler” cast members suddenly appeared on stage, performing the song with him; they closed down the number with a rousing rendition of the show stopper “Tradition.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
But it all came down to the show stopper to see who would take the crown.
From BBC • Oct. 30, 2018
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Overall, this pom-pom case is a show stopper.
From The Verge • Oct. 9, 2017
He turned into the show stopper in the second, leaving Notre Dame defenders flailing as he raced past them for a 47-yard score.
From US News • Jan. 1, 2016
She tried her health-conscious version of the classical Chinese dish, and ended up with something that is clearly a show stopper.
From The Perdue Chicken Cookbook by Perdue, Mitzi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
