Definition

The state or condition of food or other items that have gone bad or decayed, often due to improper storage or handling.

Example

The spoilage of the fruits was evident after they were left out in the heat for too long.

Conversation

I was reading about food spoilage and how it can happen so quickly.

Yeah, it's surprising how fast things can go bad if they're not stored properly.

Right? I didn't realize the impact of temperature on spoilage until recently.

Me neither! It definitely makes me more careful about what I buy.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Spoilage is formed from "spoil" (from Old French *espoillier*, meaning to plunder or strip) and "-age" (a suffix indicating a process or result). The word "spoilage" refers to the process or result of something being spoiled or damaged, particularly in the context of food or goods.

Memory Tip

Think of the process of something being 'plundered' or 'stripped' ('spoil') and how that leads to its deterioration or damage, which is what spoilage means.

Visually Confused Words