showstopper

noun

show·​stop·​per ˈshō-ˌstä-pər 

1

: an act, song, or performer that wins applause so prolonged as to interrupt a performance

2

: something or someone exceptionally arresting or attractive

the gold crown was the showstopper of the exhibition

3

: one that stops or could stop the progress, operation, or functioning of something

showstopping

ˈshō-ˌstä-piŋ 

adjective

Synonyms of showstopper

• doll
• looker
• lovely
• beauty
• eyeful
• babe
• dish
• ten
• dreamboat

Examples of showstopper in a Sentence

at the modeling agency everyone was a showstopper

Recent Examples on the Web

Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play isn’t a musical, but about two-thirds of the way through, there’s a sing-off that’s both a gleeful showstopper and a wry metatheatrical treat. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026

The real showstopper, though, was the dress for the main ceremony held with a wider group at Castiglion del Bosco on the Saturday—and for Dove, her first choice was always Valentino. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

Keep scrolling for our 16 favorites, from big autumn showstoppers to small accents. — Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2026

The penthouse gets the showstopper, a glass atrium that rises nearly 20 feet through the great room. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for showstopper

• eavesdropper
• grasshopper
• improper
• leafhopper
• sharecropper
• chopper
• copper
• cropper
• dropper
• pauper
• popper
• proper