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Spoiled vs Rotten - What's the difference?

spoiled | rotten | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between spoiled and rotten

is that spoiled is of food, that has deteriorated to the point of no longer being usable or edible while rotten is of perishable items, overridden with bacteria and other infectious agents.

As a verb spoiled

is past tense of spoil.

As an adverb rotten is

to an extreme degree.

spoiled

English

Alternative forms

* spoilt

Verb

(head)
  • (spoil)

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of food, that has deteriorated to the point of no longer being usable or edible.
  • Having a selfish or greedy character due to pampering.

    • Usage notes

    * Much more common in US than "(spoilt)". * About as common as "spoilt" in UK.

    Anagrams

    * * * * *

    rotten

    English

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Of perishable items, overridden with bacteria and other infectious agents.
    • If you leave a bin unattended for a few weeks, the rubbish inside will turn rotten .
  • In a state of decay.
    • The floors were damaged and the walls were rotten .
    His mouth stank and his teeth were rotten .
  • Cruel, mean or immoral.
    • That man is a rotten father.
    This rotten policy will create more injustice in this country.
  • Bad or terrible.
    • Why is the weather always rotten in this city?
    It was a rotten idea to take the boat out today.
    She has the flu and feels rotten .

    Usage notes

    * Nouns to which "rotten" is often applied: wood, food, egg, meat, fruit, tomato, apple, banana, milk, vegetable, stuff, tooth, smell, person, kid, bastard, scoundrel, weather.

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • To an extreme degree.
    • That kid is spoilt rotten .
    The girls fancy him something rotten .

    Anagrams

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