Meaning & use
spoilsports
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“spoilsports” is a form of “spoilsport”.
Meaning
nounpluralinformaldisapproving
People who ruin other people's fun by refusing to join in, complaining or enforcing rules too strictly.
Grammar: The plural of spoilsport: both of them were spoilsports.
Patterns
- call someone a spoilsport
- don't be a spoilsport
The twins called their parents spoilsports for ending the pillow fight.
Nobody wants to invite the spoilsports who complain about every game.
We were such spoilsports that we turned the music down at ten.
Word forms
| singular | spoilsport |
|---|
Common combinations
- don't be spoilsports
- Come on, don't be spoilsports, let the kids stay up.
- a bunch of spoilsports
- The neighbors are a bunch of spoilsports about our barbecues.
- accuse someone of being spoilsports
- They accused the teachers of being spoilsports.
- such spoilsports
- You're such spoilsports, hiding the cards.
Synonyms and how they differ
- killjoys
- Killjoys is nearly identical but slightly stronger and more general, suggesting a gloomy attitude rather than just stopping one activity.
- party poopers
- Party poopers is more playful and childish and is tied to social events.
- wet blankets
- Wet blankets dampen enthusiasm by being negative, while spoilsports often actively stop the fun.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: spoilsports or sports?
spoilsports vs sports
Sports are physical games; spoilsports are the people who ruin enjoyment, and the word has nothing to do with athletics.
Practice
The children shouted that the adults were ___ for switching off the video game.
Choose one answer.
Spoilsports ruin others' fun, which fits adults stopping a game. Good sports would be a compliment and does not fit the complaint.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “spoilsports”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.