showstopper
showstopper Lexical Profile
showstopper Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A performance, act, or item that is exceptionally impressive, striking, or captivating, originally one that elicits such prolonged applause that a theatrical performance must be temporarily halted.
"The soprano's final aria was an absolute showstopper that brought the entire audience to its feet."
A critical problem, obstacle, or software bug that prevents an activity, process, or project from continuing until it is resolved.
"The security vulnerability discovered during final testing proved to be a showstopper for Friday's product launch."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Showstopper' is a contronym depending on the domain: in entertainment and everyday praise, it is strongly positive (something so impressive it halts a show with applause), whereas in business, engineering, and software development, it is strongly negative (a critical defect that brings a project to a halt).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in American theatrical slang in the 1920s, originally referring to a musical number or comedic act so thrilling that the audience's prolonged applause literally forced the show to pause.