spoil

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'spoil' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to damage, impair, or ruin something so that it diminishes in value or usefulness. For example: "The water damage had completely spoiled the old documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Environment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nevertheless, that cannot in any way spoil my pleasure in being here today".

The Guardian

Still, the story ends with a glorious flourish that should be pure feelgood cheese but actually comes across as uncontrived and genuinely emotional (it would be a crime to spoil it).

The Guardian - Film

The plan to dump dredge spoil at a vacant industrial site next to Abbot Point represents the third attempt to find a place for the potentially toxic seabed.

The Guardian

WWF reef campaigner Louise Matthieson said the dredging itself would have "serious impacts, like destroying seagrass beds, regardless of where the spoil is dumped".

The Guardian

A presentation compiled by Australians for Animals and sent to the environment minister warns that large numbers of dugongs are being stranded on beaches and that dredged spoil is wiping out vast tracts of seagrass.

The Guardian

"The whole 'spare the rod, spoil the child' [mentality] is very monolithic".

The Guardian - Sport

The environment department's decision brief said the environment minister supported the proposal without extending trestles, disposing of dredge spoil on-shore and dumping 3m cubic metres of spoil in the waters.

The Guardian

The dredge spoil will be dumped into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The Guardian

"The community will be shocked to hear that our government is blindly relying on port developers' claims and letting them dump dredge spoil offshore in the reef's waters".

The Guardian

"The proponents could well be overstating the cost of disposing of dredge spoil on land but the government doesn't know because it's simply relying on the proponent's word, even though the proponent obviously has a direct conflict of interest," Waters said.

The Guardian

Shows that I'm about to spoil for you, such as: Related: Broadchurch recap: season two finale – episode eight Chris Chibnall clearly watched the first series of The Killing which, like Broadchurch, was an entire series about the shockwaves caused by one horrific crime.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the act of revealing plot details, use "spoil" to emphasize the negative impact on the audience's experience. For example, avoid "spoiling" the ending of a movie for others.

Common error

Avoid using "spoil" when a more precise term like "damage", "corrupt", or "undermine" would better convey the intended meaning, especially in formal or technical writing. Always consider the specific nuance you wish to express.

Linguistic Context

The word "spoil" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the act of damaging, ruining, or overindulging. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It can also function as a noun, referring to plunder or excavated material.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Sport

14%

Environment

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Travel

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "spoil" is a versatile term with meanings ranging from ruining something to overindulging someone. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its frequency of use is "very common", particularly in contexts such as news, sports, and environmental discussions. While generally neutral in tone, careful attention should be paid to the specific nuance when choosing between "spoil" and more precise synonyms like "damage" or "corrupt". This will avoid misusing "spoil" in a formal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ruin

Emphasizes the state of being irreparably damaged or destroyed, similar to "spoil" in its destructive sense.

damage

Focuses on the harm or injury inflicted, akin to "spoil" when referring to physical or non-physical detriment.

mar

Highlights the act of blemishing or detracting from the perfection of something, paralleling "spoil" in lessening value.

corrupt

Indicates a process of decay or degradation, akin to how "spoil" can refer to food going bad or morals deteriorating.

indulge

Centers on excessive gratification, similar to "spoil" when referring to pampering someone to excess.

pamper

Emphasizes treating with extreme or excessive care and attention, aligning with the overindulgent sense of "spoil".

coddle

Highlights the act of treating someone with excessive care and protection, similar to "spoil" in an overprotective manner.

mollycoddle

Implies excessive indulgence and protection, like "spoil", potentially hindering development.

overindulge

Directly conveys the idea of excessive gratification, paralleling one meaning of "spoil".

go bad

Specifically refers to food decaying or becoming unfit for consumption, reflecting one aspect of "spoil".

FAQs

How can "spoil" be used in a sentence?

You can use "spoil" to describe ruining something, like "The rain could "spoil the picnic"", or overindulging someone, such as "Don't "spoil the children"".

What are some synonyms for "spoil"?

Alternatives include "ruin", "damage", "mar", "indulge", or "pamper", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "don't spoil it for me"?

Yes, "don't "spoil it for me"" is a common and correct way to ask someone not to reveal plot details or ruin a surprise.

What's the difference between "spoil" and "ruin"?

"Spoil" often implies a lessening of enjoyment or value, while "ruin" suggests a more complete and devastating destruction. You might "spoil" a surprise, but "ruin" a career.