What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spoilt
Example
The milk has spoilt and needs to be thrown away. [spoilt: past participle]
Example
She's so spoilt, she expects everything to be handed to her on a silver platter. [spoilt: adjective]
wrecked
Example
The storm wrecked the house, leaving it in shambles. [wrecked: past tense]
Example
I'm absolutely wrecked after staying up all night studying. [wrecked: adjective]
Example
The car was wrecked in the collision and had to be towed away. [wrecked: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wrecked is more commonly used than spoilt in everyday language. Wrecked is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while spoilt is less common and refers to specific situations such as spoiled food or a spoiled child.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spoilt and wrecked?
Both spoilt and wrecked are informal words, but wrecked can be used in more formal contexts when describing severe damage or destruction.