showstopper

noun

show·​stop·​per ˈshō-ˌstä-pər How to pronounce showstopper (audio)
1
: an act, song, or performer that wins applause so prolonged as to interrupt a performance
2
: something or someone exceptionally arresting or attractive
the gold crown was the showstopper of the exhibition
3
: one that stops or could stop the progress, operation, or functioning of something
showstopping adjective

Examples of showstopper in a Sentence

at the modeling agency everyone was a showstopper
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Grande’s rendition of the showstopper – which will be performed by Erivo in the film – pulled over 22,000 streams during Nov. 1-7. Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024 What to see The round entry features a big Oz logo on the floor, but the next item is a showstopper, Glinda’s pink bubble dress. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024 Joel Pitra The primary bedroom is one of the apartment’s showstoppers with views of the greenery on the roof deck. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 7 Nov. 2024 Still, Butterworth and Mendes display a wonderful theatrical intelligence throughout, particularly in the little showstoppers—musical performances, or arias of insult—that punctuate the night. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for showstopper 

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of showstopper was in 1916

Dictionary Entries Near showstopper

Cite this Entry

“Showstopper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showstopper. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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