spoil
Translation
to spoil, to ruin, to pamper
Examples
The rain spoiled our picnic.
The rain spoiled our picnic.
She spoils her grandchildren.
She spoils her grandchildren.
The milk will spoil if you leave it out.
The milk will spoil if you leave it out.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to ruin (sth.) The rain spoiled our picnic.
((sb.)) to treat (sb.) with excessive kindness She spoils her grandchildren.
(no object) (of food) to become unfit for eating The milk will spoil if you leave it out.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ruin, corrupt, pamper; Antonyms: improve, discipline, preserve
Etymology
From Old French 'espoillier', meaning 'to plunder, strip'. It originally meant to take something of value.
Memory Tips
Think of the three main meanings: spoiling a plan (ruin), spoiling a child (pamper), and spoiling food (rot).