Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A performance or performer that evokes so much applause from the audience that the show is temporarily interrupted.
- noun A particularly arresting person or thing, especially one that draws attention away from others or brings a course of action to a halt.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
performance or segment of atheatrical production that induces a positive reaction strong enough topause the production. - noun Any
impediment that prevents all furtherprogress ; especially asoftware bug that must be fixed before any further development is possible
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun an act so striking or impressive that the show must be delayed until the audience quiets down
- noun something that is strikingly attractive or has great popular appeal
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Yet the showstopper is the most eccentric look: Mona Bismarck 's aqua green Balenciaga gown with sleeves of blooming pink petals from 1968.
Le Freak, C Josh Patner 2010
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But the showstopper is the 1,450-square-foot Robert Louis Stevenson Suite, with its front-to-back picture windows on three sides -- the joint has helicopter views from the bathtub.
Dream Hideaways: The World's Top Microboutique Hotels Forbes Life Staff 2010
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Much like the original, the showstopper is the group zombie dance segment, but I gotta say, damn if a bunch of plastic bricks don’t make for a better actress than Ola Ray, too.
Michael Jackson Fan Film: Thriller...With Legos | Fan Cinema Today 2009
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Kevin Rudd is offering premiers an extra $1.2 billion to win support for his health plan but it remains contingent on a potential "showstopper" - handing over 30 per cent of their GST.
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Kevin Rudd is offering premiers an extra $1.2 billion to win support for his health plan but it remains contingent on a potential "showstopper" - handing over 30 per cent of their GST.
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Kevin Rudd is offering premiers an extra $1.2 billion to win support for his health plan but it remains contingent on a potential "showstopper" - handing over 30 per cent of their GST.
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Kevin Rudd is offering premiers an extra $1.2 billion to win support for his health plan but it remains contingent on a potential "showstopper" - handing over 30 per cent of their GST.
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Kevin Rudd is offering premiers an extra $1.2 billion to win support for his health plan but it remains contingent on a potential "showstopper" - handing over 30 per cent of their GST.
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Kevin Rudd is offering premiers an extra $1.2 billion to win support for his health plan but it remains contingent on a potential "showstopper" - handing over 30 per cent of their GST.
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Kevin Rudd is offering premiers an extra $1.2 billion to win support for his health plan but it remains contingent on a potential "showstopper" - handing over 30 per cent of their GST.
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