spoil
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1spoil
noun \ˈspȯi(-ə)l\Definition of SPOIL
1
a : plunder taken from an enemy in war or from a victim in robbery : loot b : public offices made the property of a successful party —usually used in plural c : something valuable or desirable gained through special effort or opportunism or in return for a favor —usually used in plural
2
a : spoliation, plundering b : the act of damaging : harm, impairment
3
: an object of plundering : prey
4
: earth and rock excavated or dredged
5
: an object damaged or flawed in the making
See Examples of SPOIL
- <the bandits escaped with their lives but not with the spoils>
Origin of SPOIL
Middle English spoile, from Anglo-French espuille, from espuiller
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of SPOIL
spoil, plunder, booty, prize, loot mean something taken from another by force or craft. spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest <the spoils of political victory>. plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling <a bootlegger's plunder>. booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates <thieves dividing up their booty>. prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy <the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea>. loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe <picked through the ruins for loot>.
2spoil
verbspoiled \ˈspȯi(-ə)ld, ˈspȯi(-ə)lt\ also spoilt \ˈspȯi(-ə)lt\ spoil·ing
Definition of SPOIL
transitive verb
2
archaic : to seize by force
3
a : to damage seriously : ruin b : to impair the quality or effect of <a quarrel spoiled the celebration>
4
a : to impair the disposition or character of by overindulgence or excessive praise b : to pamper excessively : coddle
intransitive verb
1
: to practice plunder and robbery
2
: to lose valuable or useful qualities usually as a result of decay <the fruit spoiled>
3
: to have an eager desire <spoiling for a fight>
— spoil·able \ˈspȯi-lə-bəl\ adjective
Examples of SPOIL
- The fight spoiled the party.
- The camping trip was spoiled by bad weather.
- Don't let one mistake spoil your day.
- Don't spoil your appetite by snacking too much.
- Exposure to air will spoil the wine.
- I spoiled the sauce by adding too much garlic.
- The milk was beginning to spoil.
- The hotel spoils their guests with fine dining and excellent service.
- She always spoils me on my birthday.
- You should spoil yourself with a day at the spa.
Origin of SPOIL
Middle English, from Anglo-French espuiller, espoiller, from Latin spoliare to strip of natural covering, despoil, from spolium skin, hide — more at spill
First Known Use: 14th century
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