buzzkill

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "buzzkill" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person or thing that has a dampening or negative effect on a situation that was previously joyful or exciting. For example, "My brother's cynical attitude was a real buzzkill at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Social Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

From her boyfriend's perspective, and from her own, Whitney is a buzzkill so fearful of abandonment that she's at once cold and smothering, a neat trick.

The New Yorker

Dunne's perky nobility and venerable innocence are all too smooth, and her breathless vulnerability seems calculated; for me, she's a cinematic buzzkill.

The New Yorker

McCoy also considered the "buzzkill," as he phrased it, of not helping.

The New Yorker

Despite, or perhaps because of, these dollops of praise, Pope comes off as a bit of a buzzkill, all glares and Sorkinesque lectures, eyes welling with righteousness.

The New Yorker

In another situation, in another room, that statement would have been a buzzkill.

The New Yorker

Attaching this amorphous wisdom to a specific author, with his inevitable human foibles, would just be a buzzkill.

The New Yorker

It is a paradox, then, that the final addition of a living and breathing human being actually serves as a buzzkill.

The New York Times

"That consideration, if it's present, is a buzzkill".

The New York Times - Tech

With, 'Oh, I was thinking about this that we were talking about, and I just read this that made me think of that.' " A few weeks later they made plans to see the documentary "Capturing the Friedmans," a familial tragedy, which would probably be a romantic buzzkill for most people but gave Mr. Jackson an insight into Mr. Roth.

The New York Times

If you'd like the buzzkill portion of this story, read about the N.H.L.'s refusal to commit to sending its stars to the next Games, in Sochi, Russia.

The New York Times

Republicans could use a buzzkill after a convention period that does not appear to have gone terribly well for them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While primarily informal, it is widely accepted in high-end journalism to add a relatable and modern tone to critiques or reports

Common error

Do not attempt to use "buzzkill" in extremely formal legal or scientific papers where a more objective term like "deterrent" or "setback" would be more appropriate. It retains a colloquial flavor that can undermine academic rigor

Linguistic Context

The word "buzzkill" functions as a noun, typically used as a predicate nominative or a direct object. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it frequently identifies an agent (person) or a circumstance that nullifies a preceding state of euphoria or enjoyment. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and usable term in contemporary written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Social Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academic

1%

Legal

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "buzzkill" is a robust and highly expressive noun that has successfully transitioned from casual slang into mainstream journalistic English. Ludwig identifies over 60 exact matches in high-quality publications, proving its utility in describing the sudden spoiling of a positive atmosphere. Whether used to critique a character in a television review or to describe a policy's effect on an industry, it remains a versatile tool for writers. Ludwig AI emphasizes its correctness and suggests it as a standard choice when a writer needs a more punchy, relatable alternative to "killjoy" or "dampener".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

killjoy

Shifts the focus slightly more toward a person who deliberately avoids or spoils the fun of others

mood killer

More descriptive of the specific effect on the collective emotional state

party pooper

A more informal and slightly childish idiom for someone who ruins a social gathering

spoilsport

Often used when someone ruins a specific game or activity by refusing to play along

vibe killer

Contemporary slang version that emphasizes the destruction of a specific social atmosphere

wet blanket

A classic idiomatic metaphor for a person who discourages enthusiasm or fun

dampener

Used more often for events or news that reduce the overall level of excitement

downer

A broader term for anything that causes a feeling of depression or sadness

bringdown

A more old-fashioned or rhythmic way to describe a disappointing turn of events

debbie downer

A specific pop-culture reference to a person who constantly shares bad news

FAQs

How to use "buzzkill" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person or an event, such as: "The sudden rain was a total "buzzkill" for our outdoor concert".

What can I say instead of "buzzkill"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "killjoy", "wet blanket" or "dampener".

Is "buzzkill" considered slang?

It originated as slang but has evolved into a standard informal noun used frequently by authoritative sources like "The New York Times" and "The New Yorker".

What is the difference between "buzzkill" and "killjoy"?

While both mean spoiling fun, a "killjoy" almost always refers to a person, whereas a "buzzkill" can be a person, an event, a piece of news or a physical object.