befoul

[ bih-foul ]

/ bɪˈfaʊl /

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See synonyms for: befoul / befoulment on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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

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Origin of befoul

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

OTHER WORDS FROM befoul

be·foul·er, nounbe·foul·ment, noun

Words nearby befoul

before long, before the wind, beforetime, before you can say Jack Robinson, before you know it, befoul, befriend, befuddle, befuddled, beg, begad

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use befoul in a sentence

And, inevitably, that serial killer himself soon arrives in town, thus befouling Isaiah’s refuge.
Joe Ide’s IQ series continues with the idiosyncratic marvel ‘Smoke’|Maureen Corrigan|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
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
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
He, the officer, must befoul his person and derange his hours of rest and recreation, that others may enjoy.
Shandygaff|Christopher Morley

Why, I would rather lose the power of speech for ever than befoul your ears with the record of my shame.
A Traitor's Wooing|Headon Hill
The fumes of tobacco befoul the air around, and public health suffers in consequence.
A Guide to Health|Mahatma Gandhi
I could not prevent myself from saying, "Do you think it is nice to befoul your own nest?"
My Actor-Husband|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for befoul

befoul

/ (bɪˈfaʊl) /

verb

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

Derived forms of befoul

befouler, 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

befoul

Origin of befoul

OTHER WORDS FROM befoul

Words nearby befoul

Words related to befoul

How to use befoul in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for befoul

Derived forms of befoul