spoil

Spoil is a versatile verb with several distinct meanings that share a general sense of deterioration, loss, or excess. Common uses include to ruin or damage something, to cause something to lose its quality or value, to go bad or decay (especially food), to plunder or loot (as in spoils of war), to indulge excessively (as in spoiling someone), and to reveal essential plot points of a story (a spoiler).

Food spoilage refers to the deterioration of edible products due to microbial growth, enzymatic activity, or chemical changes. Spoiled food often develops off odors, flavors, colors, or textures and may pose health risks. Prevention relies on proper refrigeration, cooking, hygienic handling, and appropriate packaging; many foods carry shelf-life or "use by" dates to guide consumption.

Spoils of war denotes property seized by victors after a conflict. Historically, such spoils could include valuables, land, or military equipment and were often distributed among commanders and soldiers. Modern international law generally restricts or condemns pillage, with conventions governing the protection of civilians and cultural property, though the term remains common in historical and literary contexts.

In media discourse, a spoiler is information that reveals key plot details, such as twists or endings, potentially diminishing the experience for someone who has not yet engaged with the work. Spoilers are often mitigated by warnings or spoiler tags in discussions and publication platforms.

The verb spoil also appears in everyday language to mean treating someone with excessive generosity or indulgence, perhaps at the expense of discipline or responsibility. This sense emphasizes changing behavior through indulgence rather than damage or loss.