foul

Pluralfouls

Formsfouler, foulest

Formsfouls, fouling, fouled

1. 1
   nouncountable

   Something a player does that is against the rules of a game, like tripping or pushing another player.

   The referee called a foul when she pushed the other player.

   He had five fouls, so he had to leave the game.

   UsageA player commits a foul, and the referee calls it.

   Similarinfringement, infraction, violation

   Note
2. 2
   disgustingadjective

   So nasty that it makes you feel sick or disgusted.

   A foul smell came out of the trash can.

   The milk had gone bad and tasted foul.

   UsageOften used for smells and tastes: a foul smell. Do not mix it up with fowl (birds).

   Similarrank

3. 3
   break a rule (sport)verbtransitive

   To break a rule of the game, often by pushing, hitting or tripping a player from the other team.

   Don't foul the shooter, or he will get free throws.

   He fouled the other team's best player and got a yellow card.

   UsageYou often hear that a player was fouled, meaning someone fouled him.

4. 4
   rude (words)adjective

   Of words or the way someone talks: rude, dirty, or meant to hurt.

   The coach told the players to stop using foul language.

   She was shocked by the foul words written on the wall.

   UsageMost often in foul language: rude words and swearing.

   Similarobscene, vulgar, crude, abusive, offensive

   Oppositeclean

5. 5
   adjective

   Not honest, or against the rules of a game or a test.

   The referee warned both teams against foul play before the match began.

   The boxer lost points for a foul punch below the belt.

   UsageMost often in foul play, and in by fair means or foul (in any way at all).

   Similarunfair, dirty, illegal, dishonest

   Oppositefair

   Note
6. 6
   horribleadjective

   Very bad or unpleasant, so that people hate it. A foul mood is an angry, grumpy one.

   Bullying a younger child is a foul thing to do.

   The villain in the story is the foulest man in the kingdom.

   UsagePeople are often in a foul mood. Calling a person foul is very strong.

   Similarvile, wicked, evil, despicable, loathsome

   Oppositepleasant

   Note
7. 7
   outside the linesadjective

   In baseball, outside the two long lines that run out from home plate.

   The umpire said the ball was foul.

   A girl in the stands caught a foul ball with her glove.

   UsageYou can say the ball went foul.

   Oppositefair

   Note
8. 8
   bad weatheradjective

   Of weather: bad, with rain or storms.

   We stayed inside because the weather was foul.

   Sunday brought the foulest weather of the winter, with rain all day.

   Similarstormy, bad, rough, inclement

   Oppositefair, fine

9. 9
   nouncountable

   In baseball, a ball that is hit outside the base lines.

   He hit a foul into the stands, and a girl caught it.

   The batter hit three fouls in a row before he got a single.

   Note
10. 10
    make dirtyverbtransitive

    To make something dirty, for example with mud or waste.

    Oil from the damaged ship fouled the sand along the beach.

    Please do not let your dog foul the grass in the park.

    UsageOften a polite way to talk about dog mess. The dirt comes after with: fouled with oil.

    Similardirty, befoul

    Oppositeclean, purify

    Note
11. 11
    clog upverbtransitive or intransitive

    To block something or get in its way, or to become blocked.

    Leaves fouled the gutter, so the rain ran over the edge.

    Clean the filter often, or it will foul and the water will stop.

    Similarblock, clog, obstruct, jam, choke

    Oppositeclear, unblock

    Note
12. 12
    verbtransitive

    In baseball, to hit the ball outside the two long lines that run out from home plate.

    He fouled the first pitch into the seats.

    It is easy to foul the ball when you try to bunt.

    UsageOften with off: foul off a pitch.

13. 13
    adjective

    Dirty, with dirt or waste on it or mixed into it.

    After the flood, the river was foul with trash and mud.

    The water in the old well was too foul to drink.

    UsageSay foul with mud or trash.

    Similardirty, filthy, polluted, contaminated, unclean

    Oppositeclean, fresh

    Note
14. 14
    tangleverbtransitive or intransitive

    To get a rope, chain or boat part caught and tangled, or to become tangled.

    A loose rope fouled the boat's propeller, and the engine stopped.

    Strong winds can foul the ropes on a sailboat.

    UsageUsually the weed or rope comes first: weed fouls the propeller. Or say fouled in weed.

    Similartangle, entangle, snarl, catch

    Oppositeuntangle, disentangle

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