adjective

spoiled

spoilt, ruined, rotten

He is a spoiled child.

He is a spoilt child.

The milk has spoiled.

The milk has gone off.

Our vacation was spoiled by the rain.

Our holiday was spoilt by the rain.

((as an adjective)) describes a person or thing He is a spoiled child.

Synonyms: ruined, damaged, rotten, pampered; Antonyms: unspoiled, fresh, well-behaved

From Old French 'espoillier' (to plunder), from Latin 'spoliare' (to strip). The sense of 'to ruin' developed from this.

Imagine a 'spoiled' child who gets so many toys they 'spoil' (ruin) them all. Or food that is left out and 'spoils' (goes bad).

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.