Spoil - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To spoil means to ruin or damage something, making it less good or enjoyable. It can also refer to overindulging someone, often leading to poor behavior. Food spoils when it becomes unfit to eat.
Definition:
To damage or ruin something, or to overindulge someone, making them expect too much.
Synonyms:
ruin, damage, indulge, pamper, corrupt
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
improve, preserve
Common Collocations:
spoil a child, spoil the fun, spoil your appetite, spoil the surprise
Derivatives:
spoilage, spoiler, spoiled
Usage Tips:
Use "spoil" for ruining something or overindulging someone; avoid confusing it with similar words like "soil."
Common Phrases:
spoil the broth, spoil for choice, too many cooks spoil the broth
Etymology:
From Old French "espoillier," meaning to plunder or strip of possessions; Latin "spoliare."
Examples:
- 1. Don’t spoil the movie by revealing the ending!
- 2. Too much sugar will spoil your dinner appetite.
- 3. Parents sometimes spoil their children with too many toys.
- 4. Leaving milk out will cause it to spoil quickly.