Spoiled: meaning, definitions and examples

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spoiled

[spɔɪld ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

describing a person or thing

Damaged or harmed in a way that makes something less attractive, enjoyable, or useful. Often used to describe someone who has been given too much of what they want and has therefore become unappreciative or selfish.

Synonyms

corrupted, damaged, decayed, ruined.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spoiled	This word is often used to describe something that has gone bad or is no longer suitable for use, especially food. It can also describe children who are overindulged. The milk is spoiled, you need to throw it away. He becomes a spoiled child because his parents never say no to him.
ruined	Commonly used to describe something that is completely destroyed or rendered useless. It can be used for both physical and abstract things. The ancient ruins were beautiful to explore. The surprise party was ruined when he saw the preparations.
damaged	Primarily used to describe physical harm or reduction in quality. It can be used to refer to objects, infrastructure, or even abstract items like reputation. The car was badly damaged in the accident. His reputation was damaged after the scandal.
corrupted	This word is generally used to refer to moral or ethical decay, especially in the context of people or organizations. It implies a negative change in behavior or function. The politician was corrupted by power and money. The data file was corrupted and could no longer be opened.
decayed	This word is often used to describe something that has decomposed or deteriorated over time, typically in a physical sense. It is frequently associated with organic matter. The decayed leaves covered the forest floor. His tooth has decayed and needs to be removed.

Examples of usage

He was a spoiled child who always got what he wanted.
The spoiled milk had to be thrown away.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

action towards someone or something

To harm the character or nature of someone or something by overindulgence or excessive praise. Often used when referring to food that has gone bad due to exposure to air or bacteria.

Synonyms

contaminate, deprive, ruin, taint.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spoiled	Use when referring to food that has gone bad or a child that is overly pampered The milk is spoiled; it's turning sour Her spoiled attitude made it hard for others to be around her
ruin	Refers to the complete destruction or severe damage of something, often irreversible and negative The fire ruined their house completely A single mistake can ruin your reputation
taint	Associated with corruption or spoiling something pure or pristine, often implies a subtle or insidious effect The scandal tainted the politician's career Pollution has tainted the local water supply
contaminate	Applicable in situations involving the pollution or infection of a substance or environment, often with a negative connotation The river was contaminated with industrial waste Do not let any bacteria contaminate the sterile equipment
deprive	Used when talking about taking away something needed or desired, can imply a sense of unfairness or cruelty The poor child was deprived of a proper education Lack of funding may deprive the community of essential services

Examples of usage

If you leave the fruit out too long, it will spoil.
She spoiled her son by giving in to all his demands.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'espoillier', meaning 'to plunder or strip.'
Originally, 'spoil' referred to the taking away of goods, especially during war or conflict.
By the 15th century, the meaning expanded to include 'decay' or 'ruin,' as in food going bad.

Psychology

Studies show that overly indulgent parenting can lead to entitlement in children, a behavior often described as being spoiled.
Children labeled as spoiled may struggle with empathy, as they're not taught the value of sharing or gratitude.
Research indicates that setting limits leads to healthier emotional development, contrasting with the outcomes seen in overly pampered individuals.

Food Science

Food spoiling involves bacteria or fungi breaking down the food, making it unsafe to eat.
Environmental factors like temperature and moisture play crucial roles in how quickly food spoils.
Common signs of spoiled food include off smells, changes in texture, and visible mold or discoloration.

Cultural References

In literature, spoiled characters often serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of too much wealth or pampering.
Films and stories frequently explore themes of redemption for spoiled characters, who learn the importance of humility and hard work.
Popular media often depicts spoiled children as comical or annoying, highlighting the imbalance created by a lack of discipline.

Modern Usage

In contemporary discussions about parenting, 'spoiled' has become a critical term for discussing balance in child rearing.
Social media often portrays moments of indulgence, leading some to critique modern child-rearing practices as overly lenient or 'spoiling'.
The phrase 'spoiled for choice' describes a situation where too many options make it hard to decide, illustrating a modern twist on the idea of being spoiled.

Translations

Translations of the word "spoiled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estragado

🇮🇳 खराब

🇩🇪 verdorben

🇮🇩 busuk

🇺🇦 зіпсований

🇵🇱 zepsuty

🇯🇵 腐った (kusatta)

🇫🇷 gâté

🇪🇸 estropeado

🇹🇷 bozulmuş

🇰🇷 상한 (sanghan)

🇸🇦 فاسد

🇨🇿 zkažený

🇸🇰 pokazený

🇨🇳 变质的 (biànzhì de)

🇸🇮 pokvarjen

🇮🇸 skemmdur

🇰🇿 бұзылған

🇬🇪 გაფუჭებული

🇦🇿 korlanmış

🇲🇽 estropeado

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,586, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10583 capitalists
10584 cushion
10585 reminiscent
10586 spoiled
10587 tiger
10588 essentials
10589 retrospective
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