Spoilt vs Rotten - What's the difference?

As adjectives the difference between spoilt and rotten

is that spoilt is having lost its original value while rotten is of perishable items, overridden with bacteria and other infectious agents.

As a verb spoilt

is past tense of spoil.

As an adverb rotten is

to an extreme degree.

spoilt

English

Alternative forms

* spoiled

Adjective

(en-adj) (UK spelling)

(UK) Having lost its original value

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 less common than (spoiled) in US. * About as common as "spoiled" in UK.

Antonyms

* (food ): eatable, edible, fresh, good, unspoilt * (person ): unspoilt

Verb

(head)

(spoil)

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

* ----