spoil
gb/spˈɔɪl/ us/spˈɔɪl/
A2
English
~ 4400
elront, tönkretesz, elkényeztet, kényeztet, megromlik, romlik, hadizsákmány, zsákmány
VERB
B1
1
elront
A2
tönkretesz
B1
Usage pattern:
to spoil [something]
The loud noise spoiled the concert for everyone.
A hangos zaj mindenkinek tönkretette a koncertélményt.
Rain spoiled our plans for a picnic.
Az eső elrontotta a piknikezési terveinket.
Don't spoil the movie by telling me the ending.
His bad mood spoiled the atmosphere at dinner.
Learner examples
The rain spoiled our trip.
Az eső elrontotta a kirándulásunkat.
He spoiled the game by shouting.
Kiabálással elrontotta a játékot.
Don't spoil my surprise.
Noise spoiled my sleep.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'spoil' with 'spill'; 'spill' refers to accidentally causing liquid to flow out, while 'spoil' is about damaging or ruining something.
Meaning
Damage the quality of something
Collocations
spoil the surprise
|spoil the fun
|spoil the view
|spoil the party
Synonyms
ruin (Stronger and more final in effect; often implies total destruction.)
|
damage (More general; can refer to physical or non-physical harm.)
Antonyms
improve (Means to make something better in quality or condition.)
|
enhance (Means to increase the value or attractiveness of something.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something less good or less enjoyable.
To harm the value, character, or usefulness of something so that it is less enjoyable or effective.
VERB
B1
2
elkényeztet
B1
kényeztet
B1
Usage pattern:
to spoil [someone]
They spoil their kids with expensive gifts.
Drága ajándékokkal kényeztetik el a gyerekeiket.
She was spoiled by her grandparents and never learned to share.
A nagyszülei elkényeztették, ezért sosem tanult meg osztozni.
Don't spoil him; he needs to learn to work for what he wants.
Learner examples
Her parents spoil her with toys.
A szülei játékokkal kényeztetik el.
He spoils his dog with treats.
Jutalomfalatokkal kényezteti a kutyáját.
Grandma spoils us when we visit.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'treat' which can be positive without negative consequences; 'spoil' often implies a bad effect on behavior.
Meaning
Overindulge someone
Collocations
spoil a child
|spoil your grandchildren
|completely spoiled
Synonyms
pamper (Focuses on comfort and luxury rather than causing bad behavior.)
|
indulge (Often implies allowing pleasures, not necessarily leading to bad behavior.)
Antonyms
discipline (Involves training someone to behave well through rules and punishment.)
Themes
family
|relationships
|education
Definition
To give a person too many things or treats so they behave badly.
To give someone, especially a child, too much attention, praise, or material things so that they behave badly or expect too much.
VERB
A2
3
Usage pattern:
[food] spoils
The milk spoiled because it was left out all night.
A tej megromlott, mert egész éjszaka kint hagyták.
Fish spoils quickly if not kept cold.
A hal gyorsan megromlik, ha nem tartják hidegen.
Don't let those berries spoil in the sun.
Learner examples
The milk spoiled in the heat.
A tej megromlott a melegben.
Meat spoils if not in the fridge.
A hús megromlik, ha nincs a hűtőben.
Fruit spoils after a few days.
Meaning
Decay and become unusable (food)
Collocations
milk spoils
|meat spoils quickly
|spoiled food
Synonyms
rot (Implies natural breakdown over time, often unpleasant in smell and appearance.)
|
decay (Can refer to both organic matter and abstract decline.)
Antonyms
preserve (To keep food in good condition for a long time.)
Themes
food
|daily life
|food_drink
|health
Definition
When food becomes bad and you cannot eat it.
When food or other perishable items decay or go bad and are no longer safe or pleasant to use or eat.
NOUN
B2
4
hadizsákmány
B2
zsákmány
B1
The soldiers divided the spoils of war.
A katonák felosztották a hadizsákmányt.
He returned home with the spoils from his adventure.
A kalandja során szerzett zsákmánnyal tért haza.
They argued over how to share the spoils.
Learner examples
The army took the spoils of war.
A hadsereg hadizsákmányt szerzett.
They shared the spoils after the fight.
Megosztoztak a zsákmányon a harc után.
The spoils were gold and silver.
Meaning
Goods taken by force
Collocations
spoils of war
Synonyms
loot (Informal and common; can also mean stolen items from any theft.)
|
plunder (Often used in historical or military contexts; implies large-scale theft.)
Themes
history
|conflict
|law
|politics
Definition
Things taken by force, like in war.
Goods or benefits taken from an enemy in war, robbery, or other forceful means, usually in plural as 'spoils'.
Grammar
Dictionary form
spoil
IPA
GB/spˈɔɪl/
US/spˈɔɪl/
Syllables & stress
spoil (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (spoil)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: spoil
- Plural: spoil
Verb
- Base: spoil
- 3rd Person Singular: spoils
- Present Participle: spoiling
- Past: spoiled, spoilt
- Past Participle: spoilt
Word family
Forms
spoils
verb
spoiling
verb
spoiled
verb
spoilt
verb
Core family
spoiler
noun
Related words
spoilsport
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unspoiled
adjective
Advanced or less common
spoilage
noun
Highlights
- Irregular past participle: spoilt Verb
Expressions
spoil someone's fun
1/spˈɔɪl sˈʌmwˌʌnz fˈʌn/
fixed phrase
Ruin someone's enjoyment
To make an activity less enjoyable for someone.
Examples
- I don't want to spoil your fun, but we have to leave now.
- Rain spoiled our fun at the beach.
spoiled for choice
1/spˈɔɪld fɚ t͡ʃˈɔɪs/
idiom
Too many good options to choose from
When you have so many good choices that it is hard to decide.
Examples
- With so many restaurants nearby, we're spoiled for choice.
- Job seekers in this field are spoiled for choice right now.
spoils of war
1/spˈɔɪlz əv wˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
Goods taken after a war
Things taken from an enemy after a fight or war.
Examples
- The museum displayed the spoils of war from centuries past.
- They fought over the spoils of war.