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

• doll
• looker
• lovely
• beauty
• eyeful
• babe [slang]
• dish
• ten
• dreamboat [slang]

Examples of showstopper in a Sentence

at the modeling agency everyone was a showstopper

Recent Examples on the Web

Dessert should be a showstopper not a snooze-fest, y’all. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 28 June 2025

The unexpected showstopper of this vintage beauty, however, is the roof terrace, a wide-open space with panoramic views across the London skyline. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 June 2025

Far and away the showstopper of the Highlands course are the cliffs edge holes, especially the 18th. —Mike Fore, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Paggi is growing a related plant that is a showstopper thanks to its fringed, brilliant orange-red — and occasionally yellow — petals and scarlet stamens. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 June 2025

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