spoiled
/spɔɪld/ (bre, ipa) · [spˈɔɪld] /spɔɪld/ (ame, ipa) · [spˈɔɪld] /ˈspȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce spoil (audio)/ (ame, mw)
spoiled — adjective
- spoiledpositive
- spoiledercomparative
- spoiledestsuperlative
1. describes a person, usually a child, who has become rude or demanding because pe
describes a person, usually a child, who has become rude or demanding because people keep giving them what they want and rarely set limits.
The spoiled boy kicked the bus seat when his mother said no.
collocation: spoiled boy
Stephanie sounded spoiled whenever restaurant staff could not change the menu.
linking verb: sounded spoiled
The cousins called Paul spoiled because he expected everyone to carry his bags.
A spoiled teenager may blame the waiter for a late dessert.
- well-behaved
shows good manners and respects rules
- disciplined
has learned self-control and clear limits
文法句型
be spoiled
a spoiled child
call someone spoiled
用法筆記
This sense criticizes the person's character, not the kindness they receive. Distinguish it from adjective sense 2, which focuses on being treated unusually well rather than behaving badly.
常見錯誤
2. treated with unusual comfort, kindness, or special attention, often more than a
treated with unusual comfort, kindness, or special attention, often more than a person normally expects.
After the free suite upgrade, Vivek felt spoiled for the whole weekend.
feel spoiled after special treatment
The children looked spoiled with warm towels and juice after practice.
Guests at Lakan's inn feel spoiled by home-made soup and fresh flowers.
We were spoiled on the train when the staff served dinner at our seats.
- pampered
stronger, often with a luxury or beauty-treatment feel
- well looked after
more neutral and common in service contexts
- treated
broader and less emotional than 'spoiled'
- neglected
not given enough care or attention
- overlooked
not given the special attention others receive
文法句型
feel spoiled
be spoiled by + service
look spoiled
用法筆記
This sense is often positive and refers to generous treatment. Unlike adjective sense 1, it does not by itself suggest the person has become rude or selfish.
常見錯誤
spoiled — verb
- spoiledpresent simple I / you / we / they
- spoileds3rd person singular
- spoileding-ing form
- spoilededpast simple
1. to make something less good, less pleasant, or less useful by causing a problem
to make something less good, less pleasant, or less useful by causing a problem or changing it for the worse.
The storm spoiled Vinícius's beach picnic before lunch was even ready.
spoil + event
Karim's phone call spoiled the quiet ending of the film.
Too much garlic spoiled the sauce Élise had simmered all afternoon.
The leak spoiled the paint before Vivek could finish the wall.
文法句型
spoil + event
spoil + food
spoil + mood
用法筆記
The object is often an experience, plan, taste, or effect rather than a broken machine. For direct physical breakage, words like 'damage' or 'break' are often more natural.
常見錯誤
2. to keep giving a person treats, praise, or easy treatment until they become hard
to keep giving a person treats, praise, or easy treatment until they become hard to manage or expect too much.
Paul's grandparents spoiled him with cash every Saturday at the market.
spoil + person + with + gift
The rescue dog was so spoiled that it refused plain dry food.
Christopher spoiled his niece by replacing every toy she broke.
Yumi's aunt spoiled the twins with late-night ice cream and new games.
- discipline
set rules and teach self-control
- train
build good habits through guidance
文法句型
spoil + person
spoil + person + with + noun
用法筆記
This sense usually carries criticism because the kindness has a bad result. If you simply mean 'treat someone nicely for a short time', verbs like 'treat' or 'pamper' may sound softer.
常見錯誤
3. to take property by force during war or violent robbery, leaving a place or grou
to take property by force during war or violent robbery, leaving a place or group stripped of valuables.
The invading army spoiled three farms before dawn and burned the barn.
historical use: spoil + place
Pirates spoiled the fishing village and carried the rice onto their ship.
The raiders spoiled nearby houses after the guards fled the gate.
In the old chronicle, soldiers spoiled the temple for silver cups.
文法句型
spoil + town
spoil + village
spoil + enemy land
用法筆記
This is an old or literary sense. In everyday modern English, speakers usually choose 'loot', 'plunder', or 'rob' instead.
常見錯誤
4. to become unusable or unsafe, especially when food or another perishable thing s
to become unusable or unsafe, especially when food or another perishable thing starts to decay.
The cream spoiled in the van during the long drive home.
intransitive: food spoiled in transit
Several cartons spoiled after Ife forgot to shut the freezer door.
The fish spoiled before dawn because the ice machine failed.
Half the berries spoiled on the counter in the afternoon heat.
文法句型
food spoils
spoil in + place
spoil after + time
用法筆記
This sense is usually intransitive: the food itself spoils. If one thing makes another thing go bad, use verb sense 1 or a verb like 'contaminate' depending on the context.