Foul

/faʊl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

An action or instance of committing a fault or violation.

The referee called a foul for pushing another player.

Something that is foul; an offense.

The foul odor in the room was unbearable.

verb

To make something dirty or unclean.

The factory's waste began to foul the nearby river.

To commit a foul in sports or games.

He fouled his opponent during the basketball game.

adjective

Offensive to the senses, especially through having a disgusting smell or taste.

The foul stench from the garbage made it difficult to breathe.

Morally or ethically bad or wicked.

He had a foul temper that made him difficult to work with.

Causing harm or injury; harmful.

The fouling of the waters presented a serious environmental danger.

Middle English, from Old English fūl meaning 'foul, filthy, disgusting'.

foul play

Deceptive or dishonest behavior.

foul mood

A state of being in a bad or unpleasant mood.

foul language

Curse words or highly offensive speech.

fouling

The act of making something dirty or polluting.

foulness

The quality of being foul; uncleanliness.

To mess up or fail.

He totally fouled his chances at the promotion.

To cheat or play unfairly.

Don't foul me like that in the game!