spoil bank: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal for the 'indulge' sense; formal for the 'impair' sense.
Quick answer
What does “spoil bank” mean?
To impair the quality, value, or condition of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To impair the quality, value, or condition of something; to make something less good or less enjoyable.
To treat someone with excessive indulgence, leading to negative character traits (e.g., a spoiled child). In politics/media: to reveal plot details prematurely. In archaic/military contexts: to plunder or take by force.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
BrE accepts both 'spoiled' and 'spoilt' as past tense/participle and adjective. AmE uses almost exclusively 'spoiled'. The phrase 'spoilt for choice' is chiefly BrE.
Connotations
Identical core meanings. 'Spoilt' in BrE can sound slightly more formal/literary for the 'ruin' sense.
Frequency
'Spoiled' is vastly more frequent in AmE. In BrE, 'spoilt' is common, especially as an adjective ('a spoilt brat').
Grammar
How to Use “spoil bank” in a Sentence
Spoil [something]Spoil [someone] (by doing something)Spoil [something] for [someone]Be spoiling for [a fight/argument]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spoil bank” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The rain spoilt our picnic plans.
- He's completely spoilt by his grandparents.
- I don't want to spoil the ending for you.
American English
- The rain spoiled our picnic plans.
- He's completely spoiled by his grandparents.
- I don't want to spoil the ending for you.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used. 'Spoilingly' is obsolete.)
American English
- (Rarely used. 'Spoilingly' is obsolete.)
adjective
British English
- She's a spoilt brat.
- We're spoilt for choice with these restaurants.
- Don't eat the spoilt fruit.
American English
- She's a spoiled brat.
- We're spoiled for choice with these restaurants.
- Don't eat the spoiled fruit.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The data breach could spoil our reputation with clients.
Academic
Contamination from the tools spoiled the archaeological sample.
Everyday
Don't eat that biscuit now, you'll spoil your dinner.
Technical
Exposure to light will spoil the photographic emulsion.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spoil bank”
- Using 'spoil' as a noun for a single ruined item (incorrect: *a spoil; correct: a spoiled item).
- Using 'spoilt' consistently in American English.
- Confusing 'spoil' (v) with 'spill' (v).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'spoilt' is a correct, chiefly British English form of the past tense and past participle, and is commonly used as an adjective. American English prefers 'spoiled'.
'Ruin' is stronger and often implies irreversible, total destruction. 'Spoil' is milder, often implying a partial reduction in quality, enjoyment, or character.
Rarely. In the sense of 'indulge' it can have a positive intention ('I'm going to spoil you on your birthday'), but the result is often seen negatively (creating a spoiled person). The phrase 'spoilt for choice' is positive.
It is an idiom meaning to behave in a way that shows you are eager or actively looking for a conflict or argument.
To impair the quality, value, or condition of something.
Spoil bank is usually neutral to informal for the 'indulge' sense; formal for the 'impair' sense. in register.
Spoil bank: in British English it is pronounced /spɔɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /spɔɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “spoilt for choice”
- “be spoiling for a fight”
- “spare the rod and spoil the child”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SPOILed milk carton – it's gone bad and ruined. Or, a child surrounded by too many toys is SPOILT.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOOD IS INTACT / BAD IS ROTTEN. To spoil is to move something from an intact, good state to a rotten, impaired state.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'spoil' in the 'plunder' sense?