Standard Lemma guide

spoils

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /spɔɪlz/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɔɪlz
  • CMU ARPABET: S P OY1 L Z Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

That which is taken from another by violence; especially, the plunder taken from an enemy; pillage, booty.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: plural, plural-only

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Waste material left over in the course of excavation, construction, mining, or dredging operations.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: plural, plural-only

Examples

  • dredging spoils

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Public offices and their benefits regarded as the peculiar property of a successful party or faction, to be bestowed for its own advantage.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: plural, plural-only

Examples

  • To the victor belong the spoils.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

third-person singular simple present indicative of spoil

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person

Examples

  • Milk spoils when left out too long.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: plundering — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Dutch: roofbuit — that which is taken from another by violence
  • French: pillage — that which is taken from another by violence
  • French: sac — that which is taken from another by violence
  • German: Beute — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Ancient Greek: σκῦλα (skûla) — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Ancient Greek: λάφυρα (láphura) — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Latin: praeda — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Latin: exuviae — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Māori: parakete — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Māori: muremurenga — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Russian: добы́ча (dobýča) — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Sanskrit: गोग्रह (gograha) — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Spanish: bagayo — that which is taken from another by violence
  • Dutch: vriendjespolitiek — public offices and their benefits regarded as the peculiar property of a successful party or faction.
  • French: favoritisme — public offices and their benefits regarded as the peculiar property of a successful party or faction.
Real reading context

spoils in complete knowledge articles