Spoiler

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɔɪlÉ™(ɹ)

Origin

From spoil + -er.

Full definition of spoiler

Noun

1. One who spoils; a plunderer; a pillager; a robber; a despoiler.
2. One who corrupts, mars, or renders useless.
3. A document, review or comment that discloses the ending or some key surprise or twist in a story.Good netiquette dictates that one warn of spoilers before discussing them, so that readers who wish to do so may experience the surprises for themselves.
4. (aeronautics) A device to reduce lift.
5. (automobiles) A device to reduce lift and increase downforce
6. (US, chiefly politics, sports) An individual (or organisation etc.), unable to win themselves, who spoils the chances of another's victory.
• 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus 2010, p. 713:The optimism at the opening of the talks could not be dampened even by a few spoilers.
7. (trading card games) A comprehensive list of objects and their characteristics.

Derived terms

• spoiler space