foul

adjective

\ ˈfau̇(-ə)l

Definition of foul

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : offensive to the senses : loathsome the foul odor of rotten eggs

b : filled or covered with offensive matter foul bins of filth

2 : full of dirt or mud

3a : morally or spiritually odious : detestable a foul crime

b : notably unpleasant or distressing : wretched, horrid in a foul mood

4 : obscene, abusive foul language

5a : being wet and stormy foul weather

b : obstructive to navigation a foul tide

6 dialectal British : homely, ugly

7a : treacherous, dishonorable fair means or foul

b : constituting an infringement (see infringe sense 1) of rules in a game or sport a foul blow in boxing

8 : containing marked-up corrections a foul manuscript foul proofs

9 : encrusted, clogged, or choked with a foreign substance the chimney was foul and smoked badly

10 : being odorous and impure : polluted foul air

11 : placed in a situation that impedes physical movement : entangled a foul fishing line

12 : being outside the foul lines in baseball … a foul fly that was snagged by a fan in the stands.— E. M. Swift

foul

noun

Definition of foul (Entry 2 of 4)

1 archaic : something foul

2 : an entanglement or collision especially in angling or sailing

3a : an infringement of the rules in a game or sport

b : free throw

4 : foul ball

foul

verb

fouled; fouling; fouls

Definition of foul (Entry 3 of 4)

intransitive verb

1 : to become or be foul: such as

a : decompose, rot

b : to become encrusted, clogged, or choked with a foreign substance

c : to become entangled or come into collision

2 : to commit a violation of the rules in a sport or game

3 : to hit a foul ball

transitive verb

1 : to make foul: such as

a : to make dirty : pollute

b : to tangle or come into collision with

c : to encrust with a foreign substance a ship's bottom fouled with barnacles

d : obstruct, block

2 : dishonor, discredit

3 : to commit a foul against

4 : to hit (a baseball) foul

foul

adverb

Definition of foul (Entry 4 of 4)

: in a foul manner : so as to be foul

Other Words from foul Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about foul

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for foul

Synonyms: Adjective

bleak, dirty, inclement, nasty, raw, rough, squally, stormy, tempestuous, turbulent

Synonyms: Verb

befoul, begrime, bemire, besmirch, blacken, daub, dirty, distain [archaic], gaum [dialect], grime, mire, muck,

foul

Definition of foul

Other Words from foul

Synonyms & Antonyms for foul

WORD OF THE DAY