spoiled

[ spoild ]

adjective

1. (of a person, especially a child) indulged excessively or pampered, with a harmful effect on character:

   Her grandfather is a rough, no-nonsense farmer with little patience for a spoiled kid from the city.

2. (of food) having become bad or unfit for use; tainted, rancid, or soured:

   Eating spoiled fish causes symptoms that closely resemble an allergic reaction.

3. severely damaged or harmed, especially in a way that reduces value, usefulness, excellence, enjoyment, etc.; marred or ruined:

   His new book, Fly Fishing Tips for the Desperate, can help turn a spoiled fishing trip into a successful one.

4. (of a ballot) disqualified by being marked in an improper way or otherwise marred or defaced:

   If you make a mistake on your absentee ballot, return it to the auditor with "spoiled ballot” on the envelope and request a replacement.

verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of spoil ( def ).

Other Words From

• un·spoiled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoiled¹

spoil ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

Often, in spite of its spoiled political terrain, L.A., like the bird of paradise, found a way to sprout.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump has been a vociferous opponent of wind energy ever since Scotland built a wind farm that spoiled the view from one of his golf resorts.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe I'm spoiled by knowing so many genuinely good, Harris-voting men, but I'm not quite ready to go there.

From Salon

Despite the advanced age of the candidate, the Trump campaign was characterized by petulance and immaturity, adopting the countenance of a spoiled rich kid sneering at his mom for telling him to do his homework.

From Salon

Gardner’s arm-waving impression paired with strange stories about McEntire’s hometown of McAlester, Okla., where, “If you think the milk is spoiled, give it another sip.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• rotten