foul

USAGE SUMMARY

"foul" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as an adjective to describe something as morally unacceptable, repugnant, or offensive. For example, "The dictator's oppressive rule was considered a foul injustice to the people of the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The social media company is also banning indirect threats of violence, and will introduce temporary suspensions for accounts that fall foul of its policies.

The Guardian - Tech

Were the system Fifa is proposing to restrict itself merely to offside decisions, or questions of whether a foul took place in or outside the area, it might be quite useful, although one suspects it would soon enough encompass other areas of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

Had Arsène Wenger been able to ask for a view of the latter incident he would probably have succeeded in having the goal chalked off for offside – the foul was less clear-cut – and that would have been justice.

The Guardian - Sport

Farghadani fell foul of the Iranian authorities after meeting with the families of political prisoners and drawing a cartoon depicting a group of Iranian parliamentarians with faces of animals.

The Guardian

Worshippers reported foul aromas and "a peculiar taste" during services, praising the Lord with a handkerchief pressed to their nostrils.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, foul burial places in the centre of the metropolis – whether parish or private – could be closed by order of the secretary of state.

The Guardian

Thousands of law-abiding motorists are having their cars towed away and are being charged fines of as much as £800 after unwittingly falling foul of car tax rule changes introduced by the DVLA.

The Guardian - Money

An away goal was always likely to be decisive, and when it arrived on 22 minutes through Nilsson – after United felt they should have been awarded a free-kick for a foul on Sturrock – the balloon had been pricked.

The Guardian - Sport

Other rock stars to have fallen foul of the law include former Stone Roses singer Ian Brown, who spent two months in prison after threatening to chop off an air stewardess's hands during a flight.

The Guardian

But after Boyd scored his 14th goal of the season two minutes into the second half, County were left clinging on with 10 men for the final 13 minutes after Filip Kiss was sent off, and Boyd took advantage at the death as County players protested for a foul.

The Guardian - Sport

The second, in the 74th minute, was perhaps more contentious, when Grant Leadbitter appeared to foul Arter as he ran through into the area.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foul" to describe weather, ensure the context clearly indicates stormy or unpleasant conditions. For example, "The sailors braved the foul weather to reach the shore."

Common error

Avoid using "foul" merely to express dislike. The word carries a strong connotation of offensiveness, disgust, or moral impropriety. Reserve it for situations where these elements are genuinely present.

Linguistic Context

The word "foul" functions primarily as an adjective, describing something as unpleasant, offensive, or against the rules. It can also be used as a verb, meaning to make something dirty or to commit a violation in sports. Ludwig confirms its diverse applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "foul" is versatile, serving as an adjective, verb, and noun, primarily to denote something unpleasant, offensive, or against the rules. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. Its frequent use in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts underscores its relevance in both casual and formal communication. When considering alternatives, options like "offensive", "disgusting", and "unfair" provide nuanced replacements, depending on the specific context. Remember to reserve "foul" for situations where its strong connotation of negativity is genuinely warranted, avoiding its overuse for mere dislike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfair

Replaces "foul" when referring to unjust or inequitable situations, focusing on the lack of fairness.

offensive

Substitutes "foul" in contexts where the primary concern is causing displeasure or affront.

repulsive

Replaces "foul" when describing something extremely unpleasant or disgusting.

disgusting

Similar to repulsive, but can also describe something that causes a moral aversion.

illegitimate

Emphasizes the unlawful or unauthorized nature of an action, instead of its unpleasantness.

unethical

Highlights the violation of moral principles, applicable when "foul" relates to moral impropriety.

unsporting

Specifically describes behavior that violates the accepted standards of sportsmanship.

tainted

Implies that something has been contaminated or corrupted, losing its original purity.

corrupt

Describes something morally degenerate or rotten, often used in a broader, more impactful sense than "foul".

contaminated

Focuses on the presence of unwanted substances or pollutants, which can result in a "foul" condition.

FAQs

How can I use "foul" in a sentence?

You can use "foul" to describe something unpleasant, offensive, or against the rules. For instance, "The air had a foul smell", "He used foul language", or "That was a foul play".

What words are similar to "foul"?

Alternatives to "foul" include "offensive", "disgusting", "unfair", and "repulsive", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "foul"?

"Foul" is suitable when describing something morally wrong, extremely unpleasant, or violating established rules. Consider the intensity of the situation before using this word.

Is it correct to say "fall foul of"?

Yes, "fall foul of" is an idiomatic expression meaning to come into conflict with or violate a rule or regulation. For example, "Many motorists unwittingly fall foul of the car tax rule changes".