adjective

foul

disgusting, unfair, foul (sport)

There was a foul smell in the room.

There was a foul smell in the room.

He committed a foul in the penalty area.

He committed a foul in the penalty area.

She was in a foul mood all day.

She was in a foul mood all day.

((foul + noun)) disgusting/unpleasant (noun) It has a foul taste.

((to be in a foul mood)) to be in a bad mood He was in a foul mood after the argument.

Synonyms: disgusting, nasty, offensive; Antonyms: pleasant, clean, fair

From Old English 'fūl', meaning 'rotten, unclean'. Related to German 'faul' (rotten).

Think of a 'fowl' (a bird) that has gone bad and has a 'foul' smell. The words sound the same.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.