What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
staled
Example
The bread had staled after being left out overnight. [staled: verb]
Example
Their friendship had staled over the years, and they no longer had much to talk about. [staled: past participle]
spoiled
Example
The milk had spoiled and was no longer safe to drink. [spoiled: past participle]
Example
The outdoor picnic was spoiled by the sudden rainstorm. [spoiled: verb]
Example
The spoiled child threw a tantrum when they didn't get what they wanted. [spoiled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spoiled is more commonly used than staled in everyday language. Spoiled is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while staled is less common and more specific to certain situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between staled and spoiled?
Both staled and spoiled are relatively informal words, although spoiled may be more commonly used in formal writing due to its wider range of applications.
