First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1spoil
noun \ˈspȯi(-ə)l\
: something stolen or taken by thieves, soldiers, etc.
: something valuable or desirable that someone gets by working or trying hard
Full Definition of SPOIL
1
a : plunder taken from an enemy in war or from a victim in robbery : loot b : public offices made the property of a successful party —usually used in plural c : something valuable or desirable gained through special effort or opportunism or in return for a favor —usually used in plural
2
a : spoliation, plundering b : the act of damaging : harm, impairment
3
: an object of plundering : prey
4
: earth and rock excavated or dredged
5
: an object damaged or flawed in the making
See spoil defined for English-language learners
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Origin of SPOIL
Middle English spoile, from Anglo-French espuille, from espuiller
Synonym Discussion of SPOIL
spoil, plunder, booty, prize, loot mean something taken from another by force or craft. spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest <the spoils of political victory>. plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling <a bootlegger's plunder>. booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates <thieves dividing up their booty>. prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy <the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea>. loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe <picked through the ruins for loot>.
2spoil
verb
: to have a bad effect on (something) : to damage or ruin (something)
: to decay or lose freshness especially because of being kept too long
: to give (someone, such as a child) everything that he or she wants : to have a bad effect on (someone) by allowing too many things or by not correcting bad behavior
spoiled \ˈspȯi(-ə)ld, ˈspȯi(-ə)lt\ also spoilt \ˈspȯi(-ə)lt\ spoil·ing
Full Definition of SPOIL
transitive verb
2
archaic : to seize by force
3
a : to damage seriously : ruin b : to impair the quality or effect of <a quarrel spoiled the celebration>
4
a : to impair the disposition or character of by overindulgence or excessive praise b : to pamper excessively : coddle
intransitive verb
1
: to practice plunder and robbery
2
: to lose valuable or useful qualities usually as a result of decay <the fruit spoiled>
3
: to have an eager desire <spoiling for a fight>
— spoil·able \ˈspȯi-lə-bəl\ adjective
See spoil defined for English-language learners
Origin of SPOIL
Middle English, from Anglo-French espuiller, espoiller, from Latin spoliare to strip of natural covering, despoil, from spolium skin, hide — more at spill
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to SPOIL
Synonym Discussion of SPOIL
decay, decompose, rot, putrefy, spoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution. decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection <a decaying mansion>. decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption <the strong odor of decomposing vegetation>. rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness <fruit was left to rot in warehouses>. putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell <corpses putrefying on the battlefield>. spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods <keep the ham from spoiling>.
indulge, pamper, humor, spoil, baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings. indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires <indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse>. pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect <pampered by the amenities of modern living>. humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims <humored him by letting him tell the story>. spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering <foolish parents spoil their children>. baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude <babying students by grading too easily>. mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare <refused to mollycoddle her malingering son>.
indulge, pamper, humor, spoil, baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings. indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires <indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse>. pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect <pampered by the amenities of modern living>. humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims <humored him by letting him tell the story>. spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering <foolish parents spoil their children>. baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude <babying students by grading too easily>. mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare <refused to mollycoddle her malingering son>.
SPOIL Defined for Kids
1spoil
verb \ˈspȯil\
spoiled \ˈspȯild\ or spoilt \ˈspȯilt\spoil·ing
Definition of SPOIL for Kids
1
: to damage the character of by allowing too many things or not correcting bad behavior <Grandparents sometimes spoil a child.>
2
: to damage badly : ruin <Frost spoiled the crop.>
3
: to damage the quality or effect of <A quarrel spoiled the celebration.>
4
: to decay or lose freshness, value, or usefulness by being kept too long <The milk spoiled.>
2spoil
noun
Definition of SPOIL for Kids
: stolen goods : plunder
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