# Foley

/ˈfoʊɫi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/foley
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. film sound effects

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the art of creating everyday sound effects for films, like footsteps or the rustle of clothes.

For teachers: the reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to film, video, and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality.

- The foley in that horror movie made the sound of the footsteps on the stairs very scary.
- The studio hired a specialist to record the foley, ensuring that the subtle rustle of silk and the clink of silverware sounded authentic on screen.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier, as in 'foley artist' or 'foley stage'.

Teaching tip: Named after Jack Foley, a pioneer in film sound; it is almost always lowercase in modern technical contexts.

### 2. medical tube

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

a flexible tube used in hospitals to drain liquid from a patient's body.

For teachers: a flexible tube that is passed through the urethra and into the bladder to drain urine. Abbreviation for Foley catheter.

- The nurse checked the foley to make sure it was draining properly after the patient's surgery.
- Post-operative protocols required the medical team to monitor the foley for any signs of infection or blockage during the first twenty-four hours.

Usage: Commonly used as a countable noun in clinical settings.

Teaching tip: In a hospital, staff often drop the word 'catheter' and simply refer to the device as 'a foley'.

## Examples

- The nurse checked the foley to make sure it was draining properly.
- Following the surgery, the patient required a foley for forty-eight hours to monitor urine output.
- The clinical protocol requires strict sterile technique during the insertion of a foley to minimize the risk of hospital-acquired urinary tract infections.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.