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

As is the use of settlements from lawsuits targeting past spoilers of Waukegan’s natural areas. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026

No spoilers, but the deal with the devil that Joan made decades earlier to sacrifice her own ambitions of becoming a writer in exchange for becoming a wife finally dies. —Laura Zigman, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026

Light spoilers ahead for The Devil Wears Prada 2. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 1 May 2026

Below, during a spoiler conversation with THR, Robbins also discusses his rewrites once Theron signed on, as well as the story behind the film’s memorable beef jerky. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026

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