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 Word Forms

• un·spoiled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoiled¹

spoil ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

In this era of supremely spoiled, entitled and delusional athletes, they have been humble, hard-working, levelheaded exemplars of everything that make sports great.

From Los Angeles Times

When the world number two spoiled what had been a serene opening round with a pair of late double bogeys, it felt like a terminal blow to his chances of finally landing the Green Jacket.

From BBC

They’re not just spoiled for future work but for future accommodations as well.

From Los Angeles Times

The ending shouldn’t be spoiled, but even at its finale, “Eric LaRue” refuses to provide clear-cut clues on how to feel about this mother or her boy.

From Los Angeles Times

“They could have said, ‘Oh my gosh, you guys are so spoiled, and you know, like, if you only knew what we had to do.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• rotten