foam
Foam (noun) means a mass of small bubbles formed on or in a liquid, such as sea spray, soapy water, or the head on a drink. Example: “Foam gathered along the shoreline after the storm.”
How to Use Foam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBubbly froth on a liquid, or a spongy man-made material full of trapped air.
Word Forms
foamed past tense, foams plural, foams singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ gathered along the shoreline after the storm.
Etymology
From Old English fām, an old Germanic word related to German Feim and distantly to Latin spuma ("foam").
Related Words
Rhymes for foam
See all rhymes for foam →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “foam” mean?
The word “foam” means a mass of small bubbles formed on or in a liquid, such as sea spray, soapy water, or the head on a drink. In plain terms, bubbly froth on a liquid, or a spongy man-made material full of trapped air.
How do you pronounce “foam”?
“Foam” is pronounced fohm (/foʊm/ in IPA).
How do you use “foam” in a sentence?
Here is “foam” used in a sentence: “Foam gathered along the shoreline after the storm.”
What part of speech is “foam”?
Depending on how it is used, “foam” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “foam” come from?
The word “foam” comes from Latin. From Old English fām, an old Germanic word related to German Feim and distantly to Latin spuma ("foam").
Is “foam” a common word?
“Foam” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “foam” have?
“Foam” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mass of small bubbles formed on or in a liquid, such as sea spray, soapy water, or the head on a drink.
What is the difference between foam and froth?
Foam and froth both describe a mass of small bubbles on or in a liquid, and the words are largely interchangeable, as with the foam or froth on a cappuccino. Foam is more often used for the solid cushioning material, a sense froth does not have.
What is foam used for as a material?
As a material, foam refers to a lightweight solid made of trapped gas bubbles, commonly used for cushioning, insulation, or flotation. Examples include foam mattresses, packing foam, and foam life vests.
Can foam be used as a verb?
Yes, foam can be used as a verb meaning to produce or become covered in foam, as in "the soap foamed up quickly" or "the waves foamed against the rocks." This verb use describes the process of forming bubbles rather than the substance itself.