spoil
B2neutral
Definition
Meaning
to damage or reduce the quality, value, or enjoyment of something; to make something less good or pleasant
to treat someone with excessive indulgence; to decay or become unfit for use (especially food); to plunder or take by force
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb has three main semantic clusters: 1) damage/ruin quality, 2) overindulge (especially children), 3) become rotten (food). The noun 'spoils' refers specifically to stolen goods or benefits gained.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'spoil' is the preferred past tense and past participle ('spoilt' is also used but less common). In American English, 'spoiled' is standard for both. The phrase 'spoilt for choice' is primarily British.
Connotations
Both varieties share similar connotations. 'Spoil' as overindulgence carries slightly stronger negative judgment in American usage.
Frequency
Comparatively equal frequency in both varieties. The food-related sense might be slightly more frequent in American English due to food safety labeling.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
spoil somethingspoil somebodyspoil something for somebodyspoil yourselfbe spoiling for a fightVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “spoil the broth”
- “spoilt for choice”
- “spoil someone rotten”
- “be spoiling for a fight”
- “to the victor go the spoils”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Market volatility could spoil our quarterly projections.
Academic
Contamination would spoil the integrity of the experimental results.
Everyday
Don't eat that cake now, you'll spoil your dinner.
Technical
Exposure to sunlight will spoil the photographic emulsion.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The rain spoilt our picnic plans.
- Don't spoil the film by telling me the ending.
- These apples will spoil if not refrigerated.
American English
- The rain spoiled our picnic plans.
- You'll spoil your dinner if you eat cookies now.
- Milk spoils quickly in warm weather.
adverb
British English
- This word is not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- This word is not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- He's a spoilt child who always gets his way.
- The spoilt milk had to be thrown out.
- She felt spoilt by all the attention.
American English
- He's a spoiled child who always gets his way.
- The spoiled milk had to be thrown out.
- I feel spoiled staying at such a nice hotel.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Too much sugar will spoil your teeth.
- The bad weather spoiled our day.
- Don't spoil the surprise!
- If you leave milk out, it will spoil quickly.
- Parents shouldn't spoil their children with too many toys.
- One mistake could spoil the whole project.
- The construction noise completely spoiled the tranquil atmosphere.
- She's been spoilt rotten by her grandparents.
- Political corruption spoils public trust in institutions.
- The director refused to compromise his artistic vision, unwilling to spoil the film's integrity for commercial appeal.
- Archaeologists discovered spoils from the ancient battle buried at the site.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of OIL going bad - SPOIL. Just as oil can spoil and become unusable, things can spoil when damaged or overindended.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOOD IS PURE/CLEAN, BAD IS ROTTEN/CONTAMINATED (spoil as contamination); EXCESS IS DAMAGE (spoil as overindulgence)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как 'испортить' в значении 'сломать механически' (use 'break').
- В значении 'баловать' - акцент на чрезмерности, а не просто на добром отношении.
- 'Spoils of war' = 'трофеи', а не 'испорченные вещи'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'spoil' for breaking objects (use 'break').
- Confusing 'spoiled' (adj.) with 'spoilt' (UK variant).
- Using 'spoil' without object when meaning is transitive.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'spoil' in the sense of 'become unfit to eat'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Spoil' suggests making something less good or enjoyable, often partially. 'Ruin' implies more serious, often complete damage. 'Destroy' means to completely eliminate or make unusable.
Yes, 'spoilt' is primarily British English as both past tense and past participle, though 'spoiled' is also used. In American English, 'spoiled' is standard for both.
Yes, in contexts like 'spoil yourself' (treat yourself indulgently) or 'spoiled with attention' (receiving generous treatment), though even these carry a nuance of excess.
It refers to valuable items taken by the victors after a battle or war - loot, treasure, or territory gained through conquest.