spoil

[spoil]

verb (used with object)

spoiled, spoilt, spoiling. 

1. to damage severely or harm (something), especially with reference to its excellence, value, usefulness, etc.: Drought spoiled the corn crop.

   The water stain spoiled the painting.

   Drought spoiled the corn crop.

   Synonyms: pamper, indulge, coddle, baby, harm, ruin, mar, injure, impair, disfigure, damage

2. to diminish or impair the quality of; affect detrimentally.

   Bad weather spoiled their vacation.

3. to impair, damage, or harm the character or nature of (someone) by unwise treatment, excessive indulgence, etc..

   to spoil a child by pampering him.

4. Archaic.,  to strip (persons, places, etc.) of goods, valuables, etc.; plunder; pillage; despoil.

5. Archaic.,  to take or seize by force.

verb (used without object)

spoiled, spoilt, spoiling. 

1. to become bad, or unfit for use, as food or other perishable substances; become tainted or putrid.

   Milk spoils if not refrigerated.

2. to plunder, pillage, or rob.

noun

1. Often spoils. booty, loot, or plunder taken in war or robbery.

2. the act of plundering.

3. an object of plundering.

4. Usually spoils.

   1. the emoluments and advantages of public office viewed as won by a victorious political party.

      the spoils of office.

   2. prizes won or treasures accumulated.

      a child's spoils brought home from a party.

5. waste material, as that which is cast up in mining, excavating, quarrying, etc.

6. an imperfectly made object, damaged during the manufacturing process.

spoil

/ spɔɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to cause damage to (something), in regard to its value, beauty, usefulness, etc

2. (tr) to weaken the character of (a child) by complying unrestrainedly with its desires

3. (intr) (of perishable substances) to become unfit for consumption or use

   the fruit must be eaten before it spoils

4. (intr) sport to disrupt the play or style of an opponent, as to prevent him from settling into a rhythm

5. archaic,  to strip (a person or place) of (property or goods) by force or violence

6. to have an aggressive desire for (a fight, etc)

noun

1. waste material thrown up by an excavation

2. any treasure accumulated by a person

   this gold ring was part of the spoil

3. obsolete

   1. the act of plundering

   2. a strategically placed building, city, etc, captured as plunder

Other Word Forms

• spoilable adjective
• spoilless adjective
• unspoilable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoil¹

First recorded in 1300–50; (verb) Middle English spoilen, from Old French espoillier, from Latin spoliāre “to despoil,” equivalent to spoli(um) “booty” + -āre infinitive suffix; (noun) derivative of the verb or from Old French espoille, derivative of espoillier

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoil¹

C13: from Old French espoillier, from Latin spoliāre to strip, from spolium booty

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be spoiling for, to be very eager for; be desirous of.

   It was obvious that he was spoiling for a fight.

More idioms and phrases containing spoil

• spare the rod and spoil the child
• to the victor belong the spoils
• too many cooks spoil the broth

Synonym Study

Spoil, ruin, wreck agree in meaning to reduce the value, quality, usefulness, etc., of anything. Spoil is the general term: to spoil a delicate fabric. Ruin implies doing completely destructive or irreparable injury: to ruin one's health. Wreck implies a violent breaking up or demolition: to wreck oneself with drink; to wreck a building.

Example Sentences

Overriding all of it is what the president has said many times: “To the victors belong the spoils.”

From Salon

“I don’t want to spoil the connection I have to the place by visiting too frequently,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

I know you can’t spoil it, but is there a chance that could happen?

From Los Angeles Times

It would spoil the plot to list everyone who appears in the play.

From Los Angeles Times

For Red Roses head coach John Mitchell, France have proved dangerously volatile opponents, revelling in chaos, refusing to die and regularly threatening to spoil the party.

From BBC

Related Words

• destroy 
• devastate 
• harm 
• impair 
• mar 
• tarnish 
• undo 
• upset 
• wreck