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

Molly saved herself in the showstopper with a gorgeous pink-and-orange cake that has the consistency of a fuzzy sweater, and there was nothing Shannon could have done that would have been worse than Danni’s two disasters. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 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

The cute tops turn simple outfits into showstoppers; just look to Joanna Gaines, who often reaches for the layer as proof. — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 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