foul
0 antonyms and opposites of foul, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Dirty, disgusting, or unpleasant, especially in smell or taste.
How to use foul
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English fūl, "dirty, rotten, corrupt" — a very old Germanic word related to the idea of decay.
Full origin of foul →Frequently asked questions
What does “foul” mean?
The word “foul” means dirty, disgusting, or unpleasant, especially in smell or taste. In plain terms, dirty or disgusting, or (in sports) a rule violation involving illegal contact.
How do you pronounce “foul”?
“Foul” is pronounced fowl (/faʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “foul” in a sentence?
Here is “foul” used in a sentence: “A foul odor came from the abandoned building.”
What part of speech is “foul”?
Depending on how it is used, “foul” can be an adjective, a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “foul” come from?
The word “foul” comes from Old English. From Old English fūl, "dirty, rotten, corrupt" — a very old Germanic word related to the idea of decay.
Is “foul” a common word?
“Foul” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “foul” have?
“Foul” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dirty, disgusting, or unpleasant, especially in smell or taste.
What is the difference between "foul" and "fowl"?
"Foul" means dirty, disgusting, or against the rules, as in "a foul smell" or "a foul in basketball," while "fowl" is a noun for birds such as chickens and ducks. The two words sound identical but are never interchangeable, and the phrase "foul play" is always spelled "foul."
What is the difference between a foul and a penalty in sports?
A foul is the illegal act itself, typically breaking a rule through unfair contact with an opponent, while a penalty is the punishment the referee awards for it, such as a free kick or free throws. Commentators therefore say a player "commits a foul" and the other team "wins a penalty."