spoilsport
[spoil-spawrt, -spohrt]
- a person whose selfish or unsportsmanlike attitudes or actions spoil the pleasure of others, as in a game or social gathering.
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Origin of spoilsport
First recorded in 1815–25; from phrase spoil the sport
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
damper, downer, drag, grouch, killjoy, malcontent, sourpuss, grinch, marplot, proser, spoilsport, drip, fuddy-duddy, stick-in-the-mudExamples from the Web for spoilsport
Contemporary Examples
A spoilsport at Clarence House later said the royal couple had no firm plans to enter the race, adding: "It was said in jest."
Historical Examples
He must not be a spoilsport at feasts; his is no desert rle like John the Baptist's.
The Literature and History of New Testament TimesJ. Gresham (John Gresham) Machen
As elsewhere the use of the hyphen depends largely in the familiarity of the phrase; spoilsport, pickpocket.
Compound WordsFrederick W. Hamilton
No; I certainly don't want to be a spoilsport, and I'm glad I wasn't there—in my official capacity.
Dave Darrin's Second Year at AnnapolisH. Irving Hancock
spoilsport
- informal a person who spoils the pleasure of other people by his actions or attitudes
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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