noun

spoiler

SPOY-luh

noun

A piece of information that reveals a plot twist or ending before someone experiences it themselves.

"Warning: this review contains spoilers for the finale."

A wing-like device on a vehicle designed to reduce lift or improve aerodynamics.

"The race car's rear spoiler helps keep it stable at high speed."

A competitor who cannot win but affects the outcome by taking votes or points from someone who could.

"The third-party candidate acted as a spoiler in the tight race."

How to Use Spoiler

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that reveals a surprise ending, an aerodynamic car part, or a candidate/competitor who changes an outcome without winning.

Common mistake

Always mark spoiler content with a warning — readers expect a heads-up before plot details.

Common pairings

spoiler warning spoiler alert

spoilered past tense, spoilers plural, spoilers singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

Warning: this review contains _____ for the finale.

From spoil plus the agent suffix -er — originally "one who plunders," later extended to "one who ruins" something, including a story's surprise.

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