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.
The dip pairs exceptionally well with tortilla chips and salsa, but it can also be enjoyed with baguette slices and apples — the perfect dinner party show-stopper.
From Salon ● Jan. 25, 2024
The voluminous dress, in two tones of new and aged copper, was a show-stopper that Lively unfurled to ascend the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s iconic stairs at the high-fashion affair.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2023
It was also nothing if not a show-stopper, with Sandén and her tiny back-up singers framed by majestic boats, and fireworks lighting up the skies in the song’s final moments.
From Slate ● Apr. 25, 2021
King said or her winning show-stopper performance: "People were shouting at me from their cars, going, 'Yeah, good on ya, Yas!' It was lovely."
From BBC ● Nov. 24, 2020
Befitting the impresario, the property is a big, modern show-stopper, from its lush green driveway off Sunset Boulevard to its 6,500 square feet of meeting and event space.
From New York Times ● Feb. 22, 2020
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
Rahul was crowned 2018's winner after a near-disaster in the show stopper.
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
"It definitely is a show stopper, especially in the mall with kids. Some say things like 'Wow, look at Robocop!'"
From US News ● Dec. 17, 2015
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.
