Foe

/foʊ/

Meaning & Definition

noun
An enemy or opponent.
The knight vowed to defeat his foe in battle.
A person who is hostile or unfriendly.
In politics, allies can quickly become foes.
One who opposes or resists.
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

a person who challenges or opposes someone in a playful way
When we played video games, he was always my favorite foe.
someone you have a friendly rivalry with
She is my racing foe; we push each other to do better.