Reading Theme:
Spoil: Definition, Usage & Key Differences (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：pamper excessively (spoil)
spoil
/spɔɪl/
v.
To give someone, especially a child, everything they want so that they behave badly or expect too much.
pamper excessively
➕
/ˈpæmpər ɪkˈsɛsɪvli/
v.
To treat someone with excessive indulgence, granting all desires, which often leads to negative character traits like entitlement or poor behavior.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old French 'espoillier', from Latin 'spoliare' meaning 'to strip, rob, plunder'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a SPOILed child surrounded by too many LOOTed (from its root) toys, which RUINS their behavior.
📖 Example
If you give your son every new toy he asks for, you'll spoil him.
Providing a child with every requested item can lead to overindulgence and poor behavior.
🔗 Collocations
spoil a child – to overindulge a child, harming their development
spoil someone rotten – to indulge someone to an extreme degree
be spoiled for choice – to have so many good options that it is difficult to choose
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
discipline (v.) – To train someone to obey rules or a code of behavior.
deprive (v.) – To deny someone the possession or use of something.
🌱 Derivatives
spoiled (adj.) – Having been overindulged;形容被宠坏的
spoilsport (n.) – A person who ruins the enjoyment of others.
📖 Cultural Story
The word originates from the Latin 'spoliare', meaning 'to strip or rob', often referring to taking valuables from a captured enemy. This evolved into the concept of 'spoils of war'. Over time, the meaning broadened from damaging by stripping away value to general ruination and then to overindulgence (as if 'robbing' someone of discipline).
Meaning 2：ruin or impair (spoil)
spoil
/spɔɪl/
v.
To damage something so it's not good, useful, or enjoyable anymore.
ruin or impair
➕
/ˈruːɪn ɔːr ɪmˈpeər/
v.
To damage, harm, or negatively affect the quality, enjoyment, or success of something.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The sudden rain spoiled our outdoor picnic.
The unexpected rainfall ruined our planned outdoor meal.
🔗 Collocations
spoil the fun – to ruin a pleasurable occasion or activity
spoil one's chances – to damage or destroy one's opportunity for success
spoil the view – to mar or detract from a scenic outlook
🔄 Synonyms
Meaning 3：become rotten (spoil)
spoil
/spɔɪl/
v.
When food goes bad and becomes unsafe to eat because it is old or not stored properly.
become rotten
➕
/bɪˈkʌm ˈrɒtn/
v.
Of food or drink, to decay and become unfit for consumption due to age, bacterial action, or improper storage.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
This meat smells funny; I think it has spoiled.
This meat has an odd odor, indicating it has likely decayed and is no longer safe to consume.
🔗 Collocations
spoil quickly – to become rotten in a short period of time
spoiled food – food that has decayed and is inedible
risk of spoilage – the likelihood that food will become rotten
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
preserve (v.) – To treat food to prevent decomposition or spoilage.
keep fresh (v. phrase) – To maintain in a state suitable for consumption.
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