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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Spoil

spɔɪl
Common
~ 4300
~ 4300, Common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
To harm the quality, character, or condition of something, To pamper or indulge excessively, To ruin the character or nature of someone, especially a child, by being overindulgent, To decay or become unfit for use

Spoil - Meanings

To harm the quality, character, or condition of something

Example: Leaving the milk out of the fridge will spoil it.
Usage: formalContext: discussing food preservation or product quality
Note: Commonly used in contexts related to food, products, or general quality maintenance.

To pamper or indulge excessively

Example: Some parents spoil their children by giving them everything they want.
Usage: informalContext: discussing parenting or relationships
Note: Often used in conversations about parenting styles or relationships where excessive indulgence is involved.

To ruin the character or nature of someone, especially a child, by being overindulgent

Example: Don't spoil him with too many gifts; he needs to learn the value of hard work.
Usage: formalContext: discussing child-rearing or education
Note: Commonly used in discussions about raising children and the effects of overindulgence on their development.

To decay or become unfit for use

Example: The fruit will spoil if left out in the sun for too long.
Usage: formalContext: discussing perishable items or storage
Note: Frequently used when talking about food, perishable goods, or storage conditions that lead to decay.

Spoil's synonyms

ruin

To ruin something means to destroy or damage it completely.
Example: Leaving the cake in the oven for too long will ruin it.
Note: While 'spoil' can imply making something less desirable, 'ruin' suggests a more severe level of destruction or damage.

damage

To damage something means to harm or impair its condition.
Example: The storm damaged the roof of the house.
Note: Similar to 'spoil,' but 'damage' often implies physical harm or injury to an object or structure.

corrupt

To corrupt means to cause someone or something to become morally depraved or dishonest.
Example: Power can corrupt even the most well-intentioned individuals.
Note: While 'spoil' can refer to physical damage or making something less enjoyable, 'corrupt' specifically relates to moral decay or dishonesty.

degrade

To degrade means to reduce the quality or value of something over time.
Example: The constant exposure to sunlight can degrade the quality of the fabric.
Note: Similar to 'spoil,' but 'degrade' often implies a gradual decline in quality or value.

Spoil expressions, common phrases

Spoil someone rotten

To give someone everything they want, often to the point of harming their development or character.
Example: She's their only grandchild, so they spoil her rotten.
Note: This idiom emphasizes excessive pampering or indulgence beyond what is good for the person.

Spoil the fun

To ruin or diminish the enjoyment or excitement of a situation.
Example: Don't spoil the fun by revealing the surprise party before she arrives.
Note: This phrase focuses on ruining the enjoyment rather than the physical act of spoiling something.

Spoil the mood

To negatively affect the atmosphere or feeling of a situation.
Example: His negative comments about the movie spoiled the mood for everyone else.
Note: Similar to 'spoil the fun,' this phrase refers to affecting the emotional or social ambiance.

Spoil for a fight

To be eager or ready to engage in a confrontation or argument.
Example: He's been in a bad mood all day; he looks like he's spoiling for a fight.
Note: This phrase implies a readiness or eagerness to engage in conflict rather than physical spoiling.

Spoil the broth

To ruin something by adding unnecessary elements or overcomplicating it.
Example: Adding too much salt can spoil the broth.
Note: This idiom refers to ruining the quality or outcome of something by adding unwanted or excessive elements.

Spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar

To ruin something of great value or importance for the sake of saving a small amount.
Example: Don't spoil the ship for a ha'p'orth of tar by neglecting minor details.
Note: This phrase highlights sacrificing something significant for the sake of minor gains or neglecting important details.

Spoil sport

Someone who ruins others' enjoyment or fun by being disapproving or overly serious.
Example: Don't be a spoil sport; let's join in the game and have fun.
Note: This term refers to a person who dampens the enjoyment or excitement of others rather than physically spoiling something.

Spoil everyday (slang) expressions

Spoil someone's appetite

To ruin someone's desire to eat or enjoy food due to an unpleasant experience or sight.
Example: That gross scene in the movie really spoiled my appetite for popcorn.
Note: This slang term focuses on affecting someone's interest or pleasure in eating rather than ruining something in general.

Spoil the ending

To reveal the outcome or resolution of a story or event before someone has had a chance to experience it.
Example: Please don't spoil the ending of the show for me, I haven't watched it yet.
Note: This slang term specifically refers to revealing the conclusion or climax of a narrative, movie, TV show, etc.

Spoil the surprise

To accidentally reveal or ruin a planned surprise for someone by disclosing information ahead of time.
Example: I accidentally spoiled the surprise party by mentioning it in front of the birthday girl.
Note: This term relates to revealing a planned surprise event before it occurs, taking away the element of surprise.

Spoil the child

To give a child everything they want, often resulting in negative behaviors or attitudes.
Example: Some parents believe that if you spoil the child, they will grow up entitled.
Note: In this context, 'spoiling' refers to indulging a child excessively, potentially leading to negative consequences in their upbringing.

Spoil the ballot

To render a ballot paper invalid by marking it incorrectly or in a way that cannot be counted as a vote.
Example: If you don't want to vote for any of the candidates, you can spoil your ballot by writing an invalid message.
Note: This term pertains to intentionally marking a ballot in a way that disqualifies it from being considered a legitimate vote.

Spoil for choice

To have a difficult time making a decision due to an abundance of good options or choices.
Example: With so many delicious items on the menu, I'm spoiled for choice!
Note: This phrase highlights the challenge of choosing from multiple favorable options, suggesting an overwhelming abundance of choices.

Spoil - Examples

Spoiler alert!
Ne spoilerezd el a filmet!
Az elrontott vacsora miatt el kellett mennünk étterembe.

Spoil grammar

Spoil - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: spoil
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): spoil
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): spoil
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): spoiled, spoilt
Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): spoilt
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): spoiling
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): spoils
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): spoil
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): spoil
Syllabification and Stress
spoil Contains 1 syllables: spoil
Phonetic transcription: ˈspȯi(-ə)l
spoil , ˈspȯi( ə)l (The red syllable is stressed)

Spoil - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
spoil: ~ 4300 (Common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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