noun
Common
foam
fohm
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.”
noun
1
A mass of small bubbles formed on or in a liquid, such as sea spray, soapy water, or the head on a drink.
"Foam gathered along the shoreline after the storm."
"She wiped the foam from her cappuccino off her lip."
"A thick layer of foam floated on top of the freshly poured beer."
2
A lightweight solid material made of trapped gas bubbles, used for cushioning, insulation, or floating.
"The mattress was made of memory foam."
"The packaging used a sheet of foam to protect the glasses."
"The life jacket is filled with foam so that it floats."
verb
1
To produce or become covered in foam.
"The washing machine foamed over when too much detergent was added."
"The milk began to foam as the barista steamed it."
"The waves crashed and foamed around the rocks."
How to use foam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBubbly froth on a liquid, or a spongy man-made material full of trapped air.
Common pairings
sea foam
foam mattress
foam at the mouth
shaving foam
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Word forms
- Plural
- foams
- Third person singular
- foams
- Past tense
- foamed
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").
Synonyms
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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.
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