What does "foul" mean?

1. (dirty or smelly) having a very bad smell or being very dirty. 2. (bad weather) stormy, rainy, or generally unpleasant weather. 3. (rude language) using rude, offensive, or socially unacceptable words. 4. (unfair) not following the rules or being dishonest. 5. (to make dirty) to make something dirty, especially with waste. 6. (to block or tangle) to block a pipe or get a rope tangled up. 7. (to break sports rules) to commit an unfair act against another player in a game. 8. (a rule break) an action in a game that is against the rules.

foul

adj. · v. · n.

US //ˈfaʊɫ// UK //fˈaʊl// foul

1 dirty or smelly (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

having a very bad smell or being very dirty.

containing or covered with offensive or unclean matter; physically loathsome or putrid.

Example

A foul smell was coming from the old bin in the kitchen.

Example

The hikers were forced to turn back when they encountered the foul, stagnant water of the marshland.
- clean
- pleasant
2 bad weather (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

stormy, rainy, or generally unpleasant weather.

pertaining to weather conditions that are stormy, turbulent, or otherwise unfavourable for travel.

Example

The ship stayed in the harbour because of the foul weather at sea.

Example

Despite the foul weather forecast, the rescue team proceeded toward the summit to locate the stranded climbers.
- fair
- clear

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3 rude language (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

using rude, offensive, or socially unacceptable words.

characterised by obscene, vulgar, or abusive language.

Example

He was sent out of the classroom for using foul language.

Example

The broadcast was interrupted after the interviewee began using foul language during the live segment.
- polite
- clean
4 unfair (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

not following the rules or being dishonest.

violating the established rules of a game or the standards of fair play.

Example

The politician was accused of using foul means to win the election.

Example

The referee ruled that the defender had used foul tactics to prevent the striker from reaching the ball.
- fair
- just
5 to make dirty (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to make something dirty, especially with waste.

to contaminate or defile something with unclean matter.

Example

Dogs are not allowed on the beach so they don't foul the sand.

Example

Industrial runoff continued to foul the river, making the water toxic for the local fish population.
- clean
- purify
6 to block or tangle (v.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

to block a pipe or get a rope tangled up.

to obstruct or clog a passage; in a nautical context, to become entangled or caught.

Example

The anchor line became fouled on some rocks under the water.

Example

The mechanic explained that carbon deposits had fouled the spark plugs, causing the engine to misfire during acceleration.
- clog
- obstruct
- entangle
- clear
- untangle
7 to break sports rules (v.)
B1 Intermediate Sport

to commit an unfair act against another player in a game.

to commit an infraction against an opponent or the rules of play in a sporting contest.

Example

The defender fouled the striker just outside the penalty area.

Example

He was careful not to foul the shooter, knowing that any contact would result in two free throws for the opposing team.
8 a rule break (n.)
B1 Intermediate Sport

an action in a game that is against the rules.

an instance of breaking the rules in a sport, often involving illegal physical contact.

Example

The referee blew his whistle and called a foul on the blue team.

Example

After committing his fifth personal foul, the star player was forced to leave the game for the remaining minutes.

Etymology 1

Inherited from Middle English foul, from Old English fūl (“foul, dirty, unclean, impure, vile, corrupt, rotten, stinking, guilty”), from Proto-West Germanic fūl, from Proto-Germanic fūlaz (“foul, rotten”), from Proto-Indo-European *puH- (“to rot”). Cognate with Dutch vuil (“foul, dirty, filthy, obscene, lewd”), German faul (“foul, rotten, putrid, lazy”), German Low German fuul (“foul, rotten, putrid”), Faroese fúlur (“foul”), Icelandic fúll (“foul, rotten, sullen”), Danish ful (“nasty, ugly”), Norwegian Bokmål ful (“clever, sly”), and Swedish ful (“ugly, dirty, bad”), and through Indo-European, with Albanian fëlliq (“to make dirty”), Latin puter (“rotten”). More at putrid. Ancient Greek φαῦλος (phaûlos, “bad”) is a false cognate inasmuch as it is not from the same etymon, instead being cognate to few.

Etymology 2

Inherited from Middle English foulen, fulen, from Old English fūlian (“to become foul; rot; decay”), from Proto-West Germanic fūlēn, from Proto-Germanic fūlāną (“to rot; decay”).

Idioms4 entries