# spoil

**Pronunciation:** /spɔɪl/ · spoyl

**CEFR level:** B1

**Part of speech:** verb

## Meaning 1: General

To damage or ruin something, or to become damaged or ruined.

## Examples

- The rain spoiled our picnic plans.
- If you leave food out too long, it will spoil.
- His bad attitude spoiled the mood for everyone.

## Meaning 2: Children

To be excessively indulgent towards a child, allowing them to do whatever they want.

## Examples

- Parents who spoil their children often create difficult teenagers.
- She was spoiled by her grandparents and never had to do chores.
- Don't spoil the baby too much, or he'll expect everything.

## Meaning 3: Food

To become unfit for eating, usually due to decay.

## Examples

- The milk has gone off and spoiled.
- We had to throw away the meat because it spoiled in the heat.
- The berries spoiled quickly after being picked.

## Synonyms

- ruin — To destroy or damage severely.
- damage — To harm or injure.
- mar — To impair the appearance of; disfigure.
- corrupt — To cause to become rotten or debased; morally degenerate.

## Antonyms

- preserve — To keep something in its original state or in good condition.
- save — To keep from being lost or wasted; rescue from harm or danger.
- maintain — To keep something in good condition.

## Common patterns

- spoil for a fight — To be eager to argue or fight. — He was clearly spoiling for a fight and started shouting at the referee.
- spoil someone's plans — To ruin someone's intentions or arrangements. — Don't let one bad grade spoil your plans for getting into college.
- spoil the mood — To make a pleasant atmosphere unpleasant. — His rude comment spoiled the mood for everyone.
- spoil someone — To indulge someone excessively, often to their detriment. — Parents should be careful not to spoil their children with too many gifts.

## Collocations

- spoil the mood — His constant complaining really spoiled the mood at the party.
- spoil someone's plans — The sudden storm spoiled our plans for a beach day.
- spoil for a fight — He seemed to be spoiling for a fight, looking for any excuse to argue.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/spoiled

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