spoiler

noun

spoil·​er ˈspȯi-lər 

1

a

: one that spoils

b

: one (such as a political candidate) having little or no chance of winning but capable of depriving a rival of success

2

a

: a long narrow plate along the upper surface of an airplane wing that may be raised for reducing lift and increasing drag see airplane illustration

b

: an air deflector on an automobile to reduce the tendency to lift off the road at high speeds

3

: information about the plot of a movie or TV program that can spoil a viewer's sense of surprise or suspense

also : a person who discloses such information

Examples of spoiler in a Sentence

The review contains a few spoilers, so don't read it if you haven't seen the movie.

Recent Examples on the Web

That said, rivalry games often carry a different kind of intensity, and Purdue, now under a new head coach, may push hard for pride and a spoiler-upset, especially playing at home under the lights at Ross-Ade Stadium. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

The final scene of Jay Kelly — light spoilers follow — shows Clooney’s Jay and his manager (played by Adam Sandler) taking in a highlights reel of Jay’s past cinema work at a lifetime achievement ceremony. —Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025

The following review contains some light spoilers for Stranger Things season five, volume one. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025

This piece contains major spoilers for the first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5, aka the entirety of Volume 1. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing spoiler

• spoiler alert

Rhymes for spoiler

• boiler
• broiler
• oiler
• toiler
• reboiler

Kids Definition

spoiler

noun

spoil·​er ˈspȯi-lər 

1

a

: one that spoils

b

: one (as a political candidate) having little or no chance of winning but capable of depriving a rival of success

2

: a device (as on an airplane or automobile) used to disrupt airflow and decrease lift

3

: information about the plot of a book, motion picture, or television program that can spoil a reader's or a viewer's sense of surprise or suspense