foul

[US]/faʊl/
[UK]/faʊl/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

adj. evil; dirty; violating rules
vt. make dirty; violate rules; obstruct
vi. violate rules; become entangled
n. violation of rules; entanglement
adv. in a way that violates rules, improperly

Phrases & Collocations

foul play

foul language

foul smell

foul mood

foul weather

foul water

technical foul

foul line

foul ball

foul air

foul territory

foul shot

personal foul

Real-world Examples

And so there it sat, growing more foul and powerful by the day.

Source: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Original Movie

To bait me with this foul derision?

Source: Ancient Wisdom and Contemporary Love (Audio Version)

We could also say mess up, foul up or screw up.

Source: Grammar Lecture Hall

Officials say his family suspects foul play.

Source: NPR News March 2013 Compilation

We opened the windows to let out the foul air.

Source: Liu Yi Breakthrough English Vocabulary 3000

But the DNA data fouled up this hypothesis.

Source: Science 60 Seconds - Scientific American June 2023 Collection

But foul play has another common meaning today.

Source: Grandparents' Vocabulary Lesson

Yesterday you seemed certain it was foul play.

Source: Ozark.

This is where they fall foul.

Source: 6 Minute English

So what do you think that means? Party foul.

Source: Learn English by Watching Movies with VOA

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