What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overripe
Example
The banana is overripe and has turned brown. [overripe: adjective]
Example
She left the tomatoes on the counter for too long, and now they're overripe. [overripe: adjective]
spoiled
Example
The milk has spoiled and smells sour. [spoiled: verb]
Example
The storm spoiled our picnic plans. [spoiled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spoiled is more commonly used than overripe in everyday language. Spoiled is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while overripe is less common and refers specifically to fruits and vegetables that have ripened too much.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between overripe and spoiled?
Both overripe and spoiled are relatively informal words, but spoiled may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of usage and negative connotation.
