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

That wasn’t her only showstopper. —Brent Lang, Variety, 8 June 2026

While a cool glass of rosé will always hit the spot on a warm summer evening, this stunning, bright pink frosé will be a showstopper. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 3 June 2026

In addition to Love Island USA, the roughly 11,000-square-foot showstopper has set the stage for MTV's Ex on the Beach and hosted celebrities like Justin Bieber. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026

Au contraire, Roland Garros is the perfect place to model a showstopper. —Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 30 May 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