spoiler

A spoiler is information that reveals important parts of a story, such as a movie, book, show, or game, before you get to experience it yourself. It can be a major plot twist, an ending, or some other big surprise, and it often takes away part of the fun.

It can happen on purpose, like when a friend blurts out what happens, or by accident, like when you see a revealing headline online. That is why people often say "No spoilers!" before talking about something new.

Most often, a spoiler is something that gives away an important part of a story too soon. It might reveal a character's fate, a surprise ending, or a secret in a game. For many people, that kind of early knowledge weakens the sense of surprise and discovery, so warnings like "Spoiler Alert" are now common online and in conversation.

The word also has other uses. In politics, a spoiler is a person or candidate who takes support away from another candidate and changes the result, even if they do not win. In cars and aircraft, a spoiler is a part designed to change airflow. On a car, it is usually a raised piece at the back that can improve stability or performance.

So the word can describe a ruined surprise, a person who changes a contest by taking votes or support, or a shaped part that affects movement through the air. The exact meaning depends on the setting, but in everyday English, people usually mean the story-related sense.