Spoiled or Spoilt?

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Spoiled or Spoilt?

If you're unsure whether to use "spoiled" or "spoilt," use "spoiled."

In North America, "spoilt" is considered a spelling mistake. In the UK, however, "spoilt" is sometimes used as the adjective (e.g., spoilt child) and the past participle (e.g., you have spoilt that child).

Of note, however, Brits will also use "spoiled" as the adjective and the past participle. So, if you're unsure, use "spoiled."

spoilt or spoiled
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More about "Spoiled" and "Spoilt"

The verb "to spoil" means to diminish or destroy the value or quality of something.

In US and UK writing conventions, the simple past tense of "to spoil" is "spoiled." Brits will sometimes use "spoilt" for the adjective and the past participle. For example:
  • She spoiled the pie. () ()
    • (Here, "spoiled" is the simple past tense.)
  • The pie is spoilt. () ()
    • (Here, "spoilt" is an adjective. Brits accept this. Americans don't.)
  • The pie is spoiled. () ()
    • (Here, "spoiled" is an adjective. Brits and Americans accept this.)

Americans Demand "Spoiled

In America, "spoiled" dominates. The use of "spoilt" as the past tense or past participle of "to spoil" is widely regarded as a spelling mistake.

Brits Prefer "Spoiled" but Will Accept "Spoilt

Outside America, "spoiled" is the most common of the two, but "spoilt" is generally accepted for the adjective or the past participle.

Verbs with Irregular and Regular Forms

"To spoil" is one of those verbs with both an irregular form and a regular form. The following verbs (like "to spoil") can be regular or irregular:
VerbPast SimplePast Participle
burnburned OR burntburned OR burnt
dreamdreamed OR dreamtdreamed OR dreamt
learnlearned OR learntlearned OR learnt
smellsmelled OR smeltsmelled OR smelt
spellspelled OR speltspelled OR spelt
Usually, the second form (e.g., "learnt," "spelt") is acceptable in British English only.

Interactive Exercise
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See Also

hanged or hung? What are verbs? What are regular verbs? What are regular verbs? What is the past tense? What are past participles? adverse or averse? affect or effect? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? dived and dove e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? hanged and hung imply or infer? its or it's? learned and learnt material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? What are nouns? List of easily confused words