befoul

[bih-foul]

verb (used with object)

1. to make dirty or filthy; soil; defile; sully.

   a bird that befouls its own nest.

befoul

/ bɪˈfaʊl /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• befouler noun
• befoulment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of befoul¹

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

Example Sentences

And the latest migra ad befouling L.A.-area television stations is the most pathetic — and chilling — one yet.

From Los Angeles Times

I asked the four if creating a super PAC — long decried by good government types as befouling democracy — violated their values.

From Los Angeles Times

But then, Samir said that the ghosts would never risk stealing our breath because Rasseem was with us, and his breath could befoul the afterlife.

From Literature

Trump is scared out of his befouled shorts.

From Salon

They say there are two dozen large, concentrated animal farming operations — which collectively house almost 3 million animals — befouling watersheds and torturing livestock and poultry in confined lots and cages.

From Los Angeles Times