foul

foul · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Having an offensive smell or taste; extremely unpleasant.

  2. 2.

    Morally offensive; wicked or obscene.

  3. 3.

    (Of weather) Stormy, rainy, or otherwise unpleasant.

  4. 4.

    (Sports) Against the rules; illegal.

  5. 5.

    (Noun) An unfair or invalid action in sports.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    foul play — criminal violence or unfair behavior
  • •
    foul language — obscene or vulgar speech
  • •
    foul up — to make a mistake or ruin something
  • •
    fair or foul — by any means necessary
  • •
    cry foul — to protest against unfair treatment

Related words

Antonyms: clean, fair, pleasant
See also: dirty, disgusting, fair, offensive
Synonyms: dirty, disgusting, offensive, vile

Etymology

From Old English ful ("dirty, rotten, corrupt"), related to Old Norse full and German faul.