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 movie 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

By Megan McCluskey February 28, 2025 3:00 AM EST Warning: This post contains spoilers for Episode 7 of Severance Season 2. —Megan McCluskey, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025

There was no surprise newcomer, no young spoiler; the Best Actress contenders of 2014 were all about institutional staying power. —Zach Schonfeld, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025

Consequently, don’t look for The Substance to play the spoiler on March 2nd. —Scott Phillips, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

This post contains spoilers for the season 2 premiere of 1923. —Julia Moore, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing spoiler

• spoiler alert

Rhymes for spoiler

• boiler
• broiler
• oiler
• toiler
• reboiler

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