ENGLISH
REFERENCE

spoilt

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate UK //spˈɔɪlt// spoilt

adj. describes someone, usually a child, who behaves badly because they always get what they want. It can also describe something that is no longer good, like food that has gone bad.

adj. having a character harmed by excessive indulgence; also refers to objects or situations that have been rendered useless or unpleasant. Often used predicatively after 'be' or 'become'.


SIMPLE

The spoilt child cried when he didn't get the toy.

CONTEXTUAL

Our holiday was spoilt by the constant rain and the fact that our hotel was still under construction.

COMPLEX

Growing up as an only child in a wealthy household, he was so spoilt by his grandparents that he struggled to handle any form of rejection in his adult life.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used as a past participial adjective; 'spoilt' is the preferred spelling in British English, while 'spoiled' is standard in American English.

Pitfall

The food was spoilted.The food was spoilt.Learners sometimes add an extra '-ed' to 'spoilt', but 'spoilt' is already the past participle form used as an adjective.

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