spoiler

[ spoi-ler ]

/ ˈspɔɪ lər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR spoiler ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person or thing that spoils.

a person who robs or ravages; despoiler; plunderer.

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.

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.

Sports. a team out of final contention that defeats a potential or favored contender and thereby thwarts its chances of winning a championship.

any competitor, entrant, or candidate who has no chance of ultimate victory but does well enough to spoil the chances of another.

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.

Nearby words

Origin of spoiler

First recorded in 1525–35; spoil + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for spoiler

Spoiler: you may think twice before getting another Grande Chestnut Praline Latte.
What's Really In That Holiday Drink?|The Daily Beast Video|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Spoiler Alert: Do not read if you haven't seen season five episode eight of The Walking Dead, “Coda”
Norman Reedus on Motorcycles, Multitasking, And That Mid-Season Finale: “This Was A Rough One”|Oliver Jones|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A new study claims that “spoiler” is no longer a dirty word.
Wait, We Actually LIKE Spoilers!?|Kevin Fallon|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I guess I put [one of his legends; spoiler redacted] to rest.
Life After Deaths: Sean Bean on 'Game of Thrones' Paternity and 'Legends'|Jason Lynch|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The idea of a spoiler, much like the Ewok Nanta, slain in the Battle of Endor, is dead.
Is the New ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy the Story of the Solo Twins and Darth Caedus?|Rich Goldstein|March 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Civilization is viewed only as a place of unbridled license where the law favors the spoiler.
The Lumberjack Sky Pilot|Thomas D. Whittles
The hand of the spoiler has devastated Clonard perhaps more completely than any other of our ancient shrines.
Insula Sanctorum et Doctorum|John Healy
Thy hand was on the plough, and thou didst turn in the furrow and make terms with the spoiler of thy land.
The Siege of Norwich Castle|Matilda Maria Blake
They soon quiet down; and the spoiler begins to notice her surroundings.
More Hunting Wasps|J. Henri Fabre
Will ye not help us break the jaws of the spoiler and drag the prey from between his teeth?
Caesar's Column|Ignatius Donnelly

British Dictionary definitions for spoiler

spoiler

/ (ˈspɔɪlə) /

noun

plunderer or robber

a person or thing that causes spoilage or corruption

a device fitted to an aircraft wing to increase drag and reduce lift. It is usually extended into the airflow to assist descent and bankingCompare air brake (def. 2)

a similar device fitted to a car

sport a competitor who adopts spoiling tactics, as in boxing

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for spoiler

spoiler

1530s, "one who robs or plunders," agent noun from spoil. Meaning "one who mars another's chance at victory" is attested from 1950 in U.S. politics, perhaps from boxing. Aeronautics sense is from 1928, because it destroys the "lift" on the plane; transferred to structures serving a similar purpose on speedboats (1957) and motor vehicles (1963). Meaning "information about the plot of a movie, etc., which might 'spoil' it for one who has not seen it" is attested by 1982.

spoiler

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of spoiler

Examples from the Web for spoiler

spoiler

noun

spoiler