killjoy
B2Informal, mildly pejorative
Definition
Meaning
A person who deliberately spoils the enjoyment of others by being overly serious, critical, or disapproving of fun activities.
Can refer to any entity (person, rule, circumstance, or object) that acts as a dampener on pleasure, excitement, or spontaneity. The term implies an active role in diminishing joy, not just a passive lack of enthusiasm.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly implies intentionality or a habitual disposition. More negative than simply 'serious person'. Often used in playful admonishment as well as genuine criticism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Usage and frequency are similar. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more common in UK English in phrases like 'Don't be such a killjoy.' Connotations are identical.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties. Slightly higher in UK spoken corpus, but not statistically significant for learners.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] is/acts like/becomes a killjoy[Verb] a killjoy (be, call someone)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't be such a killjoy!”
- “A real killjoy at the party.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might describe someone who constantly shoots down creative ideas.
Academic
Very rare. Would be considered too informal.
Everyday
Very common in social contexts to criticise someone ruining fun.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He managed to killjoy the entire outing with his complaints about the weather.
American English
- She didn't mean to killjoy the celebration, but her bad news changed the mood.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother is a killjoy. He never wants to play games.
- Don't be a killjoy! The film is funny.
- She didn't want to be a killjoy, so she smiled and joined the dance.
- The new safety rules are a bit of a killjoy for the adventure park.
- His killjoy comment about the cost of drinks brought the celebratory mood to an abrupt halt.
- We need someone to play the killjoy and remind everyone about the deadline tomorrow.
- The article lamented the killjoy tendency of modern health and safety culture, which prioritises risk aversion over experiential learning.
- He was unfairly labelled a killjoy for his prudent financial advice during the euphoric phase of the project.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The word itself is a compound: KILL + JOY. Imagine someone literally 'killing' the 'joy' at a party by turning off the music.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOY/ENTHUSIASM IS A LIVING ENTITY (that can be killed). A PERSON IS AN AGENT OF DESTRUCTION (for fun).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'убийца радости'. Use 'брюзга', 'зануда', 'человек, который портит всем удовольствие'.
- Do not confuse with 'pessimist' (пессимист). A killjoy is more active in spoiling others' fun.
Common Mistakes
- Using in formal writing. *'The minister was a killjoy about the budget.' (Incorrect register)
- Confusing with 'boring'. A boring person is passively uninteresting; a killjoy actively stops fun.
Practice
Quiz
In which situation is someone MOST likely to be called a killjoy?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and critical, but not severely offensive. It's often used in a teasing, semi-serious way among friends.
Yes, but it's rare and considered informal or even non-standard by some dictionaries. The noun form is vastly more common.
They are very close synonyms and often interchangeable. 'Spoilsport' might be slightly more childish or focused on games/sports, while 'killjoy' is broader.
Not a direct single-word antonym. Phrases like 'life and soul of the party' or 'enthusiast' convey the opposite idea of someone who adds to the fun.