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Definition of killjoy

killjoy

/ˈkɪl.dʒɔɪ/
kill · joy
Plural:killjoys
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killjoy Lexical Profile

killjoy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who deliberately spoils or dampens the enjoyment, enthusiasm, or pleasure of others.

Example

"Everyone was enjoying the lively celebration until he acted like a total killjoy and complained about the music."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

killer whale
killifish
killing
killjoy
kiln
kilo
kilobyte

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the late 18th century as an agent noun compound formed from the verb 'kill' and the object 'joy', literally meaning 'one who kills joy'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Killjoy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/killjoy
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