English Reference

Word

spoilt

UK/spˈɔɪlt/

Definitions

01a selfish person

B2

adj. describes a person, usually a child, who is selfish or behaves badly because they always get what they want.

adj. describing a person, typically a child, who exhibits selfish or demanding behaviour resulting from excessive indulgence by parents or guardians.

“The spoilt child cried loudly when his mother refused to buy him another toy.”

“Growing up as a spoilt only child in a wealthy household, he struggled to adapt to the compromises required in a shared university dormitory.”

British English

Synonyms

02food gone bad

B2

adj. describes food that is no longer fresh and cannot be eaten.

adj. referring to food that has decayed or fermented to the point of being inedible or hazardous to consume.

“The smell of spoilt milk coming from the fridge was terrible.”

“The health inspector noted several containers of spoilt meat in the kitchen, leading to the restaurant's immediate closure.”

British English

Synonyms

Antonyms

03damaged or ruined

B2

adj. something that has been ruined or made less beautiful or useful.

adj. having the quality or value diminished; rendered less effective, attractive, or useful by damage or interference.

“The view of the valley was spoilt by the new factory buildings.”

“The evening was spoilt by a series of technical glitches that interrupted the performance every few minutes.”

British English

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“Many spend several weeks at a summer camp at the start of the holidays before heading out of the cities and if they are lucky, to the seaside, to be spoilt by their grandparents.”
The Local · 19 Sept 2024

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference