WordGarden.iospoiler
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /spˈɔɪlə/
US
- /ˈspɔɪlər/
Meanings
Noun
information that reveals an important part of a story before someone experiences it
a raised panel on a vehicle designed to affect airflow, especially on a car
a candidate who draws votes away from another and changes an election result
Beyond the definition
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.
Examples
- 1
Story ending
Don't tell me the ending yet—I hate spoilers.
- 2
Review
The review included a major spoiler for the final episode.
- 3
Warning phrase
Spoiler alert: the dog survives.
- Phrasespoiler alert
a warning that important story details are coming
- 4
Online reading
I accidentally read spoilers online before I saw the movie.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Car part
He added a black spoiler to the back of his car.
- 6
Competition
With nothing left to win, the team still played spoiler in the title race.
- Phraseplay spoiler
stop another person or team from succeeding
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- spoilernoun
Forms
- spoilerspluralnoun