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

One potential showstopper after another fell flat, every song undersold and suffering from a paucity of punch. —Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2026

This showstopper of a dessert mashes up the bold caffeinated flavors of classic tiramisu with the perfectly wobbly, creamy perfection of panna cotta. —Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Since joining the series, Leith has sampled scores of competitors’ signature bakes, judged technical baking challenges and marveled at numerous bakers’ memorable confectionery showstoppers. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026

During summer, the nearly 500-foot gush of a monsoon waterfall off a travertine cliff is a showstopper. —Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 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