befoul

[ bih-foul ]

/ bɪˈfaʊl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR befoul ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make dirty or filthy; soil; defile; sully: a bird that befouls its own nest.

Nearby words

Origin of befoul

First recorded in 1275–1325, befoul is from the Middle English word bi-foulen. See be-, foul

Related formsbe·foul·er, nounbe·foul·ment, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for befoul

Adolf Hitler, despite being the most evil force ever to befoul mankind, was also a kind and conscientious employer.
Secrets of Nazi Secretaries|Andrew Roberts|August 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He, the officer, must befoul his person and derange his hours of rest and recreation, that others may enjoy.
Shandygaff|Christopher Morley
Can anything be so bad as the living bush which bleeds and talks, or the Harpies who befoul Aeneas's dinner?
Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay|George Otto Trevelyan
Self-consciousness compels such creatures to befoul their origin.
The Remarkable History of Sir Thomas Upmore, bart., M.P., formerly known as "Tommy Upmore"|R. D. Blackmore

I could not prevent myself from saying, "Do you think it is nice to befoul your own nest?"
My Actor-Husband|Anonymous
They will close in on you tomorrow—you and all the dirty vermin that befoul these cliffs.
Wappin' Wharf|Charles S. Brooks

British Dictionary definitions for befoul

befoul

/ (bɪˈfaʊl) /

verb

(tr) to make dirty or foul; soil; defile

Derived Formsbefouler, nounbefoulment, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for befoul

befoul

early 14c., from be- + foul (v.). Related: Befouled; befouling.

befoul

verb (used with object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of befoul

Examples from the Web for befoul

befoul

verb

befoul