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Glite Dictionary
boner-killer

boner-killer

1 9.9
A thing that suddenly ruins excitement or pleasure
  • noun
  • /ˈboʊnər ˈkɪlər/
  • NSFW
translation icon : mata pasiones
  • The lengthy and boring presentation turned out to be a major boner killer at the party.

Examples

  • When she canceled the concert at the last minute, it was such a boner killer for everyone who had been looking forward to it.

  • I mean, talk about a boner killer.

    Footloose (2011)

  • His sudden announcement about the budget cuts was a real boner killer for the team who was excited about the project.

Synonyms

downer
vsboner-killer
  • Informal
27 5.6

Something that makes you feel sad or disappointed

focuses on abruptly killing excitement rather than causing general sadness
thrill killer
vsboner-killer
  • Informal
1 8.9

Someone or something that spoils excitement

completely ruins excitement abruptly and disappointingly
deadener
vsboner-killer
7.7

A person or thing that makes a situation less exciting

strikes suddenly to end excitement rather than slowly lowering it

How Mood-Dampening

boner-killer
  • NSFW
1 9.9
downer
  • Informal
27 5.6
killjoy
  • Offensive
8 6.9
deadener
7.7
dampener
1 4.6

Surface Forms

boner-killer singular
boner-killers plural

Morphology

boner-killer = boner + killer (transparent) = boner + killer

A direct compound of 'boner' + 'killer' whose meaning is literally 'something that kills a boner', so the relation is straightforward.

Etymology

The word boner-killer joins boner, a casual slang word for 'strong excitement', and killer, from 'to kill' meaning 'to destroy'. So, a boner-killer is anything that suddenly destroys excitement or pleasure and ruins the mood.