killjoy
UK: ˈkɪldʒɔɪ | US: ˈkɪlˌdʒɔɪ
n. a person who deliberately spoils the enjoyment of others
n. someone who dampens enthusiasm or fun
The word "killjoy" is a compound formed by combining "kill" (from Old English cwellan, meaning "to destroy") and "joy" (from Old French joie, meaning "happiness"). It emerged in the early 19th century to describe a person who ruins others' pleasure, reflecting a vivid metaphor of "killing" happiness. The structure is transparent, making it easy to decode: someone who "kills joy."
Don’t be such a killjoy—let’s celebrate!
He refused to join the party, earning a reputation as the office killjoy.
The strict teacher was seen as a killjoy by the students.
She didn’t mean to be a killjoy, but her criticism ruined the mood.
The rain turned him into a killjoy during the picnic.