WordGarden.iofoul
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈaʊl/
US
- /ˈfaʊl/
Meanings
Adjective
dirty, disgusting, or very unpleasant to smell or taste
offensive, obscene, or vulgar, especially of language
unfair, illegal, or morally wrong
Noun
an illegal or unfair action in a sport or game
Verb
to make something dirty, polluted, clogged, or obstructed
to commit an illegal action against another player in a sport
Beyond the definition
The word "foul" has several meanings, but they all point to something bad, unpleasant, or not acceptable. A foul smell is very bad, foul language is rude and offensive, and a foul in sports means a player has broken a rule. It often suggests that something goes against basic standards of cleanliness, fairness, or decent behavior.
Think of it this way: if something seems nasty, rude, unfair, or morally wrong, it may be described as foul. The exact meaning depends on the situation, but the feeling around the word is usually strongly negative.
The word "foul" carries a surprisingly wide range of meanings, all revolving around the idea of something offensive, unpleasant, or wrong. While the word originally meant "dirty" or "filthy," its usage has expanded over time to encompass moral and rule-based violations.
In sports, especially games like basketball, soccer, and football, a "foul" is an action that breaks the rules. A player who commits a foul may give the other team an advantage, such as a free kick, free throw, or penalty. For example: "He committed a terrible foul and was sent off."
Beyond sports, "foul" can describe something physically disgusting: "The garbage smelled foul after sitting in the sun all day." It also carries moral weight; a "foul deed" is a wicked or reprehensible act—think of villains plotting "foul play." You might say someone has a "foul temper," meaning they are easily angered and prone to outbursts.
"Foul language" refers to swearing or using offensive words, while "foul weather" describes harsh and unpleasant conditions like storms or heavy rain. Historically, it even referred to something diseased or corrupted—a "foul wound" was one that had become infected.
So, whether describing a rule-breaking action, an unpleasant odor, a wicked act, or bad weather, "foul" signals something that is deeply undesirable, offensive, or wrong in some way. It's a word steeped in negativity and often carries strong emotional weight.
Examples
- 1
Bad smell
A foul smell came from the fridge when I opened it.
- 2
Bad weather
The fishermen headed back to shore as the weather turned foul.
- 3
Offensive language
The coach warned the players not to use foul language on the field.
- 4
Sports penalty
The referee stopped the game after the defender committed a foul.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Plans disrupted
One missing form fouled up our travel plans.
- Patternfoul X up
cause X to go wrong
- 6
Crime context
The police said there was no sign of foul play in his death.
- Phrasefoul play
criminal or dishonest action
- 7
Unfair result
When the final scores were changed, several parents cried foul.
- Phrasecry foul
say something is unfair or dishonest
See also
Forms and spellings
6 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- foulnounverbadjective
Forms
- foulspluralnounverbadjective
- fouledpast tenseverbadjectivenoun
- fouling-ing formverbadjectivenoun
- foulestsuperlativeadjectiveverbnoun
- foulercomparativeadjectiveverbnoun