What's the past tense of "spoil"?
The simple past tense of spoil is spoiled, and the past participle is also spoiled. In UK English, spoilt is also accepted for both forms.
Definition of spoil
The Oxford English Dictionary defines spoil as "to destroy or reduce the pleasure, interest, or beauty of something; to harm the character of someone, especially a child, by being too lenient or indulgent; to become unfit to eat or drink." It's used in both literal and figurative senses, from food going bad to ruining experiences.
- The past tense of spoil is spoiled (or spoilt in UK English).
- The past participle of spoil is spoiled (or spoilt in UK English).
Verb forms of 'spoil'
Is "spoil" a regular or irregular verb?
Note: Regular verbs end in -ed in the past tense. Any other verb ending is considered irregular.
Spoil is interesting because it can function as both a regular and irregular verb depending on the English variant. American English typically uses the regular form "spoiled," while British English often prefers the irregular "spoilt," similar to other verbs like learn/learnt, burn/burnt, and smell/smelt.
When to use "spoiled" vs. "spoilt"
He really spoiled me on my birthday.
Our camping trip was spoilt by bad weather.
The verb spoil can use either spoiled or spoilt for both simple past tense and past participle forms. Spoiled is preferred in American English, while spoilt is more common in British English. When used as a participle, it requires an auxiliary verb like have, has, or had. The simple past doesn't use a helper verb since it's a complete tense, so either form can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.
Sentence examples: spoil, spoiled, spoiled
• Don't spoil your appetite with candy.
• The rain will spoil our picnic plans.
• Parents shouldn't spoil their children.
• The milk spoiled in the heat.
• Her selfish behavior spoiled the evening.
• He really spoiled me on my birthday.
• The whole park has been spoiled by litter.
• The tall buildings have spoiled the view.
• I had spoiled the surprise accidentally.
Synonyms & nearby words
Synonyms for spoil
Nearby phrases
Origin of the word spoil
c. 1300, "to strip (someone) of clothes, strip a slain enemy," from Old French espillier "to strip, plunder, pillage," from Latin spoliare "to strip, uncover, lay bare; strip of clothing, rob, plunder, pillage," from spolia.
Practice: Forms of "Spoil"
He ______ his children by giving them everything they ask for.
The milk was left out of the fridge and has ______.
In British English, it is common to say the surprise was ______.
The rain ______ our plans for a picnic in the park.
Don't ______ your appetite by eating candy before dinner.
FAQs
What is the past tense of "spoil"?
What is the past participle of "spoil"?
Is "spoilt" correct English?
Which form should I use: "spoiled" or "spoilt"?
Is "spoil" a regular or irregular verb?
Sources
-
Oxford English Dictionary. "spoil, v." OED Online. Oxford University Press. Date of access 15 Jan. 2025.
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Cambridge Dictionary. "spoil." Cambridge University Press. Date of access 15 Jan. 2025.
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