spoiler

noun

spoil·​er ˈspȯi-lər 

1

a

: one that spoils

b

: one (such as a political candidate) having little or no chance of winning but capable of depriving a rival of success

2

a

: a long narrow plate along the upper surface of an airplane wing that may be raised for reducing lift and increasing drag see airplane illustration

b

: an air deflector on an automobile to reduce the tendency to lift off the road at high speeds

3

: information about the plot of a motion picture or TV program that can spoil a viewer's sense of surprise or suspense

also : a person who discloses such information

Examples of spoiler in a Sentence

The review contains a few spoilers, so don't read it if you haven't seen the movie.

Recent Examples on the Web

This article contains spoilers for RuPaul's Drag Race season 16 finale. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2024

Getting into Rebel Moon — Part Two spoilers, Kora (Sofia Boutella) told Gunnar (Michiel Huisman) about the events that led her to flee the Imperium. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Apr. 2024

This post contains spoilers from the April 17 episode of Survivor. —Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

By Megan McCluskey April 18, 2024 3:55 PM EDT Warning: This post contains spoilers for Under the Bridge. —Megan McCluskey, TIME, 18 Apr. 2024

National Democrats are taking the threat Kennedy’s campaign poses seriously, hiring veteran staffers such as Lis Smith, who helped oversee Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 Democratic presidential campaign, to counter the effects of potential spoiler candidates, NBC News reported. —Brianne Pfannenstiel, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

In Vogue’s latest episode of Off the Cuff, the two co-stars giggle over secrets, spoilers, dream roles, and items stolen from set. —Lea Donenberg, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024

Its goal greatly worried Democrats and their supporters who figured an allegedly centrist candidate would siphon more votes from Biden, leading to a spoiler effect that would help Trump win in November. —The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024

For the most part, third-party candidates have played the role of spoiler, drawing just enough support to tip the race away from one of the two major-party candidates. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing spoiler

• spoiler alert

Kids Definition

spoiler

noun

spoil·​er ˈspȯi-lər 

1

a

: one that spoils

b

: one (as a political candidate) having little or no chance of winning but capable of depriving a rival of success

2

: a device (as on an airplane or automobile) used to disrupt airflow and decrease lift

3

: information about the plot of a book, motion picture, or television program that can spoil a reader's or a viewer's sense of surprise or suspense