Cool MateOverindulge him vs Spoil
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Overindulge him
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Spoil
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Most formal: SpoilMost common: Spoil
| Overindulge him | Spoil | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˌəʊvəˈɪn.dʌl.dʒ//🇺🇸 //ˌoʊ.vɚˈɪn.dʌldʒ// | 🇬🇧 /["/spɔɪl/","/spɔɪlz/","/spɔɪld/","/spɔɪlt/","/ˈspɔɪlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/spɔɪl/","/spɔɪlz/","/spɔɪld/","/spɔɪlt/","/ˈspɔɪlɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To give someone too much of what they want, often food or treats. | to make something bad or to ruin it |
| Example | Don't overindulge him with sweets; he needs a balanced diet. | If you leave the milk out too long, it will spoil and become unsafe to drink. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | overindulge children, overindulge pets, overindulge yourself | completely, quite, rather, hate to, not be going to, not want to, with, be completely spoiled, be thoroughly spoiled, be utterly spoiled |
| Antonyms | - | preserve, maintain, cherish |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'indulge' which means to allow oneself to enjoy., Using 'overindulge' only in a negative context; it can also be neutral., Incorrectly using 'overindulge' with objects instead of people. | Using 'spoil' with an incorrect preposition, like 'spoil for someone' instead of 'spoil something for someone'., Confusing 'spoil' with 'spolt'— 'spolt' is not a word., Misunderstanding the difference between 'spoil' and 'spoilage', which refers specifically to food. |
| Usage notes | Use 'overindulge' when talking about spoiling someone, especially with food or gifts. It's informal and suitable for casual conversation. | Use 'spoil' when something is ruined or made worse. It can refer to food going bad or experiences being ruined. Avoid in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Overindulge him vs Spoil
What's the difference between Overindulge him and Spoil?
Overindulge him: To give someone too much of what they want, often food or treats. Spoil: to make something bad or to ruin it
Which is more formal: Overindulge him and Spoil?
Spoil is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Overindulge him and Spoil?
Spoil is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Overindulge him: Don't overindulge him with sweets; he needs a balanced diet. Spoil: If you leave the milk out too long, it will spoil and become unsafe to drink.
Can I use Overindulge him and Spoil interchangeably?
Not always. Overindulge him and Spoil are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.