What does spoiled mean?
Spoiled has several related meanings. Most commonly, it describes something that has been damaged, ruined, or made ineffective: bad weather spoiled the picnic, or a late goal spoiled an otherwise successful match. It can also describe a person who has received excessive attention, comfort, or privilege and has consequently become demanding or self-centred, as in “a spoiled child.” In more formal contexts, a spoiled result or victory is one made less impressive or credible by unfair advantages. Finally, “spoiled” is also the past tense and past participle of “spoil,” meaning to damage, ruin, or waste something. The word is useful because it captures both physical ruin and the effects of excessive indulgence. British English commonly uses “spoilt” alongside “spoiled,” whereas American English generally favors “spoiled.”
Damaged, ruined, or rendered ineffective; given excessive attention or indulgence; or unfairly advantaged.
"The spoiled weather forced the organizers to postpone the event."
“Spoiled” and “spoilt” are both standard, with “spoilt” particularly common in British English.
Past tense and past participle of “spoil,” meaning to damage, ruin, or render ineffective.
"A sudden downpour spoiled the afternoon."
This form is used with both transitive and intransitive constructions, as in “spoiled the plans” and “the day spoiled.”
A single bad decision can spoil an entire day—but, in the opposite sense, being spoiled by success can make every later success feel less satisfying.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spoiled come from?
The word comes from Middle English “spoilen,” which developed from Old French “espoillier.” That French word came from Latin “expoliare,” meaning “to strip” or “plunder,” formed from “ex-” and “spolium,” “spoils” or “plunder.” The modern senses concerning damage and excessive indulgence developed through the word’s long history of meaning loss, waste, and deprivation.
Related word forms
How spoiled is actually used
The adjective is common in both British and American English. “Spoiled” is standard in American English, while “spoilt” is also widely used in British English; the two forms are interchangeable in most contexts. The word can carry a negative connotation when it describes excessive indulgence, but it can be mildly approving in phrases such as “spoiled rotten.”
Easily confused with spoiled
“Spoiled” and “spoilt” are variant forms of the same word; “spoilt” is especially common in British English, while “spoiled” is standard in both British and American English.
“Spoil” is the base verb or noun from which “spoiled” is formed; “spoiled” usually describes something already damaged or someone accustomed to excessive indulgence.