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

This post contains spoilers for Episodes 5 and 6 of Dispatch, now available on PlayStation 5 and Windows. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025

Fans erupted over the spoiler on social media, and put together an online petition, which garnered 100,000 signatures, to bring back his character. —Dana Rose Falcone, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025

Fans have just a few hours to avoid spoilers. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025

New Yorkers are swarming the polls in record numbers to choose between a historic first, a seismic comeback or a vigilante spoiler for mayor. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Nov. 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