A goner is someone or something that's definitely doomed, finished, or beyond saving. When a character in a movie is hanging by their fingertips over a cliff and the rock starts cracking, another character might shout “He's a goner!” meaning there's no hope left.

The word usually appears in dramatic moments. If your kite gets tangled in the highest branches during a windstorm, you might say “That kite's a goner” because you know you'll never get it back. When a goldfish floats upside down at the top of the tank, it's sadly a goner. If you're playing tag and someone's chasing you into a corner with no escape route, you might think “I'm a goner now!”

People use goner with a sense of certainty and finality. It's not “this might be in trouble” but rather “this is definitely done for.” The word often carries a hint of drama or humor, especially when the situation isn't actually life-threatening. When your little brother finds your secret candy stash, you might dramatically announce “Well, that chocolate's a goner” because you know it'll all be eaten by dinnertime.