# spoiler

/ˈspɔɪɫɝ/ (US) · /spˈɔɪlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spoiler
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. plot information

noun · CEFR B1

information about a movie, book, or game that tells you the ending or a big surprise before you see it yourself.

For teachers: a piece of information that reveals significant plot points, such as the ending or a major twist, potentially ruining the experience for a first-time viewer.

- I haven't seen the movie yet, so please don't give me any spoilers.
- The studio took extreme measures to prevent spoilers from leaking online before the global premiere of the final installment.

### 2. aerodynamic part

noun · CEFR B2

a part on a car or an airplane designed to change how air moves around it to improve speed or control.

For teachers: an aerodynamic device intended to modify air flow, typically to reduce lift and increase drag on aircraft or increase downforce on high-performance vehicles.

- The sports car has a large spoiler on the back to help it stay stable at high speeds.
- During the descent, the pilot deployed the spoilers to increase drag and manage the aircraft's airspeed more effectively.

### 3. political or sports disruptor

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

a person or team that cannot win but prevents another person or team from winning.

For teachers: a candidate or competitor who has no realistic chance of winning but whose presence in the race draws enough votes or points away from a front-runner to cause their defeat.

- The third-party candidate acted as a spoiler in the election, causing the main favorite to lose.
- Political analysts argued that the independent candidate served as a spoiler, siphoning off critical votes in swing states and handing the victory to the opposition.

### 4. to reveal plot points

verb · CEFR B2 · Slang

to tell someone the ending of a story or show before they have seen it.

For teachers: to disclose the resolution or key plot developments of a narrative to someone who has not yet experienced it.

- Stop talking about the finale because you are going to spoiler it for everyone else.
- Social media users often use specific tags to ensure they do not accidentally spoiler the latest episode for international fans in different time zones.

## Examples

- Please do not tell me the ending; I hate spoilers.
- She covered her eyes to avoid any spoilers while walking past the cinema posters.
- The critic argued that the film's heavy reliance on plot twists made it particularly vulnerable to spoilers, which diminished the emotional impact of the final act.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.