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, adjective

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