Meaning & use
spoiled children
Last updated
“spoiled children” is a form of “spoiled child”.
Meaning
nounpluraldisapproving
Children who behave badly because they are given everything they want and are rarely disciplined.
Grammar: Always plural; the singular is 'spoiled child'. It is used as a noun phrase.
Patterns
- spoiled children behave badly
- a pair of spoiled children
The neighbors complained that the spoiled children next door were always screaming when they didn't get their way.
Teachers often find it hard to deal with spoiled children who expect special treatment.
He blamed the school for creating a generation of spoiled children.
Word forms
| singular | spoiled child |
|---|
Common combinations
- a bunch of spoiled children
- The party was ruined by a bunch of spoiled children fighting over toys.
- act like spoiled children
- The adults were acting like spoiled children, arguing over who got the last piece of cake.
- raise spoiled children
- Many parents worry that giving in too often will raise spoiled children.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pampered children
- Focuses on being treated with too much care and luxury, but doesn't always imply bad behavior.
- brats
- A stronger, more offensive word for badly behaved children; 'spoiled children' is milder and more descriptive.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: spoiled children or spoilt?
spoiled children vs spoilt
British spelling of the same adjective; 'spoilt children' is also correct in British English.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'spoiled children' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Spoiled children' is plural, so it takes a plural verb like 'are'. The other options use singular verbs ('was', 'is', 'has'), which do not agree.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “spoiled children”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.