SPOIL
What does "SPOIL" mean?
To diminish or destroy the value or quality of something.
Meanings
- To ruin or impair the quality, enjoyment, or usefulness of something. One rude remark spoiled the whole evening.
- Of food: to become unfit to eat; to go bad. The milk will spoil if you leave it out overnight.
- To harm a child's character by being too indulgent. Grandparents are allowed to spoil the kids a little.
- Goods or material taken by force; plunder, or waste material from digging. The victors divided the spoils of the campaign. formal
Word origin
From Old French 'espoillier', from Latin 'spoliare' (to strip, plunder), from 'spolium' (hide stripped from an animal, then booty). The 'go bad' sense developed later in English.
Remember it
SPOIL contains 'oil' - and oil left too long goes rancid, the very thing 'spoil' means.
A little poem
The peach was perfect Monday noon;
by Friday, sweetness curdled soon-
ripe is a window, not a boon.
tercet
Wordplay
- I'd tell you how the milk carton's story ends, but I don't want to spoil it - it goes off in the third act.
What it teaches
What you refuse to use in time, time will spoil for you - sweetness and patience rarely keep.
Quick facts
What does SPOIL mean?
To diminish or destroy the value or quality of something.
Is SPOIL a valid word?
Yes — SPOIL is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is SPOIL?
SPOIL has 5 letters and 1 syllable.
Where does SPOIL come from?
From Old French 'espoillier', from Latin 'spoliare' (to strip, plunder), from 'spolium' (hide stripped from an animal, then booty). The 'go bad' sense developed later in English.
What can SPOIL teach us?
What you refuse to use in time, time will spoil for you - sweetness and patience rarely keep.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.