Meaning & Definition of word "Foe"

Foe

/foʊ/

noun:

  • 1. An enemy or opponent.
    • Example: The knight vowed to defeat his foe in battle.
  • 2. A person who is hostile or unfriendly.
    • Example: In politics, allies can quickly become foes.
  • 3. One who opposes or resists.
    • Example: The team's greatest foe was their own lack of confidence.

Etymology

From Old English 'fā,' meaning 'enemy, opponent.'

Common Phrases and Expressions

keep your friends close and your foes closer:

To be aware of your enemies is as important as keeping your friends nearby.

a friend in need is a friend indeed:

In times of difficulty, a true friend proves their loyalty, but a foe may reveal themselves.

Related Words

antagonist:

A character or force that opposes the protagonist.

nemesis:

A long-standing rival; an arch-enemy.

competitor:

A person or entity engaged in competition.

Slang Meanings of foe

Meaning: a person who challenges or opposes someone in a playful way

Example Sentence: When we played video games, he was always my favorite foe.

Meaning: someone you have a friendly rivalry with

Example Sentence: She is my racing foe; we push each other to do better.