spoil
[ spoil ]
/ spɔɪl /
verb (used with object), spoiled or spoilt, spoil·ing.
verb (used without object), spoiled or spoilt, spoil·ing.
to become bad, or unfit for use, as food or other perishable substances; become tainted or putrid: Milk spoils if not refrigerated.
to plunder, pillage, or rob.
noun
Idioms for spoil
be spoiling for, Informal.
to be very eager for; be desirous of: It was obvious that he was spoiling for a fight.
Origin of spoil
1300–50; (v.) Middle English
spoilen < Old French
espoillier < Latin
spoliāre to despoil, equivalent to
spoli(um) booty +
-āre infinitive suffix; (noun) derivative of the v. or < Old French
espoille, derivative of
espoillier
SYNONYMS FOR spoil
1
disfigure,
destroy,
demolish,
mar.
Spoil,
ruin,
wreck agree in meaning to reduce the value, quality, usefulness, etc., of anything.
Spoil is the general term:
to spoil a delicate fabric.
Ruin implies doing completely destructive or irreparable injury:
to ruin one's health.
Wreck implies a violent breaking up or demolition:
to wreck oneself with drink; to wreck a building.
OTHER WORDS FROM spoil
spoil·a·ble, adjective spoil·less, adjective un·spoil·a·ble, adjective un·spoiled, adjectiveWords nearby spoil
spode,
spodogenous,
spodosol,
spodumene,
spohr,
spoil,
spoil bank,
spoil for,
spoil ground,
spoilage,
spoiled priest
Example sentences from the Web for spoils
British Dictionary definitions for spoils (1 of 2)
spoils
/ (spɔɪlz) /
pl n
(sometimes singular)
valuables seized by violence, esp in war
mainly US
the rewards and benefits of public office regarded as plunder for the winning party or candidate
See also spoils system
British Dictionary definitions for spoils (2 of 2)
spoil
/ (spɔɪl) /
verb spoils, spoiling, spoilt or spoiled
noun
See also
spoils
Word Origin for spoil
C13: from Old French
espoillier, from Latin
spoliāre to strip, from
spolium booty
Idioms and Phrases with spoils
spoil