Definition of spoil
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a : to damage seriously : ruin
b : to impair the quality or effect of
a quarrel spoiled the celebration
2a : to impair the disposition or character of by overindulgence or excessive praise
b : to pamper excessively : coddle
4 archaic : to seize by force
1 : to lose valuable or useful qualities usually as a result of decay
the fruit spoiled
2 : to have an eager desire
spoiling for a fight
3 : to practice plunder and robbery
spoil
nounDefinition of spoil (Entry 2 of 2)
1a : plunder taken from an enemy in war or from a victim in robbery : loot
b : something valuable or desirable gained through special effort or opportunism or in return for a favor
—usually used in plural
c : public offices made the property of a successful party
—usually used in plural
2a : 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
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Time Traveler for spoil
The first known use of spoil was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century