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1. Dictionary

   Spoil

   /spoil/

   

   verb

   • 1. diminish or destroy the value or quality of: "I wouldn't want to spoil your fun" Similar mardamageimpairblemishdisfigureblightflawdefacescarinjureharmruindestroywreckbe a blot on the landscaperare:disfeatureOpposite improveenhance
   • ▪ prevent someone from enjoying (an occasion or event): "she was afraid of spoiling Christmas for the rest of the family" Similar ruinwreckdestroyupsetundomess upmake a mess ofdashsabotagescupperscotchtorpedoblastvitiatecast a shadow overcast a pall overclouddarkentake the shine offput a damper ontake the enjoyment/pleasure out oftake the edge offupset someone's apple cartcook someone's gooseinformal:foul uplouse upmuck upqueerscrew upput the kibosh onbanjaxblow a hole indo fornixcock updishmullerqueer someone's pitchthrow a spanner in the works ofrain on someone's paradethrow a monkey wrench in the works ofcrueleuchrevulgar slang:fuck upbugger upballs uparchaic:bring to naughtOpposite furtherhelpenhance
   • ▪ mark (a ballot paper) incorrectly so as to make one's vote invalid, especially as a gesture of protest: British "the group called on its supporters to spoil their papers"
   • ▪ (of food) become unfit for eating: "I've got some ham that'll spoil if we don't eat it tonight" Similar go badgo offgo rancidturngo soursourgo moldymolderbecome addledcurdlebecome rottenrotperishdecomposedecayputrefyOpposite keep
   • 2. harm the character of (someone, especially a child) by being too lenient or indulgent: "the last thing I want to do is spoil Thomas" Similar overindulgepamperindulgemollycoddlecossetcoddlebabyspoon-feedwait on hand and footcater to someone's every whimoverparentkill with kindnessnannynursemaiddote onwrap in cotton woolfeather-bedarchaic:cockerOpposite neglecttreat harshlybe strict with
   • ▪ treat with great or excessive kindness, consideration, or generosity: "breakfast in bed—you're spoiling me!"
   • 3. be extremely or aggressively eager for: "Cooper was spoiling for a fight"
   • 4. rob (a person or a place) of goods or possessions by force or violence: archaic "the enemy entered into Hereford, spoiled and fired the city, and razed the walls to the ground"

   noun

   • 1. goods stolen or taken forcibly from a person or place: "the looters carried their spoils away"
   • 2. waste material brought up during the course of an excavation or a dredging or mining operation.

   Word Origin Middle English (in the sense ‘to plunder’): shortening of Old French espoille (noun), espoillier (verb), from Latin spoliare, from spolium ‘plunder, skin stripped from an animal’, or a shortening of despoil.

   Scrabble Points: 7

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2. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSPOIL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   May 20, 2024 · verb Word forms: spoils, spoiling, spoilt or spoiled. 1. (transitive) to cause damage to (something), in regard to its value, beauty, usefulness, etc. 2. (transitive) to weaken the character of (a child) by complying unrestrainedly with its desires. 3. (transitive) to treat (someone) with great kindness and generosity.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSPOIL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   B1 [ T ] to destroy or reduce the pleasure, interest, or beauty of something: He tried not to let the bad news spoil his evening. The oil spill has spoiled the whole beautiful coastline. spoil something for someone I haven't seen the film, so don't spoil it for me by telling me what happens.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishspoil verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   [transitive] spoil something to change something good into something bad, unpleasant, etc. synonym ruin. Our camping trip was spoilt by bad weather. Don't let him spoil your evening. The tall buildings have spoiled the view. Don't eat too many nuts—you'll spoil your appetite (= will no longer be hungry at the proper time to eat).

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › spoilSpoil Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › spoil

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   Spoil definition, to damage severely or harm (something), especially with reference to its excellence, value, usefulness, etc.: The water stain spoiled the painting.Drought spoiled the corn crop. See more.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishspoil noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   spoil. noun. /spɔɪl/ the spoils. [plural] (formal or literary) goods taken from a place by thieves or by an army that has won a battle or war. the spoils of war. The robbers divided up the spoils. Want to learn more?

7. www.britannica.com › dictionary › spoilSpoil Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

   www.britannica.com › dictionary › spoil

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   Britannica Dictionary definition of SPOIL. 1. [+ object] : to have a bad effect on (something) : to damage or ruin (something) The fight spoiled the party. The camping trip was spoiled by bad weather. Don't let one mistake spoil your day. [+] more examples. 2. [no object] : to decay or lose freshness especially because of being kept too long.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishSPOIL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   to stop something from being enjoyable or successful: The picnic was spoiled by the bad weather. I don't want to spoil the fun, but could you turn the music down a bit? Fewer examples. The burnt onions spoiled the flavour of the dish. His performance spoiled an otherwise excellent film.