Difference between Foul and Befoul

What is the difference between Foul and Befoul?

Foul as a verb is to make dirty. while Befoul as a verb is to make foul; to soil.

Foul

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: Covered with, or containing, extraneous matter which is injurious, noxious, offensive, or obstructive; filthy; dirty; not clean; polluted; nasty; defiled; as, a foul cloth; foul hands; a foul chimney; foul air; a ship's bottom is foul when overgrown with barnacles; a gun becomes foul from repeated firing; a well is foul with polluted water. Scurrilous; obscene or profane; abusive; as, foul words; foul language. Hateful; detestable; shameful; odious; wretched. Loathsome; disgusting; as, a foul disease. Ugly; homely; poor. Not favorable; unpropitious; not fair or advantageous; as, a foul wind; a foul road; cloudy or rainy; stormy; not fair; -- said of the weather, sky, etc. Not conformed to the established rules and customs of a game, conflict, test, etc.; unfair; dishonest; dishonorable; cheating; as, foul play. Having freedom of motion interfered with by collision or entanglement; entangled; -- opposed to clear; as, a rope or cable may get foul while paying it out. Outside of the base lines; in foul territory.

Part of speech: noun

Definition: A breach of the rules of a game, especially one involving inappropriate contact with an opposing player in order to gain an advantage; as, for example, foot-tripping in soccer, or contact of any kind in basketball. A (usually accidental) contact between a bowler and the lane before the bowler has released the ball. A foul ball, a ball which has been hit outside of the base lines.

Part of speech: verb

Definition: To make dirty. To besmirch. To clog or obstruct. To entangle. To make contact with an opposing player in order to gain advantage. To hit outside of the baselines. To become clogged. To become entangled. To commit a foul. To hit a ball outside of the baselines.

Example sentence: Basketball players want contact to get a foul called. Slaps on the wrist and bumps on the shoulder are big time to them, and they don't like that. In football, you get that all the time. The whole mental makeup is different.

Befoul

Part of speech: verb

Definition: To make foul; to soil.To entangle or run against so as to impede motion.

We hope you now know whether to use Foul or Befoul in your sentence.

Also read

Popular Articles