befoul

American  

[bih-foul] / bɪˈfaʊl /

verb (used with object)

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

   a bird that befouls its own nest.

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befoul British  

/ bɪˈfaʊl /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• befouler noun
• befoulment noun

Etymology

Origin of befoul

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

Example Sentences

But in 2026, nothing comparable exists for our befouled media landscape.

From The Wall Street Journal

The putrid chamber drama becomes a fantasia, befouled rags turn into tuxedo pants and it’s finally safe to belt how they feel.

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

On another wall was a banner reading “Break The Curse” — an unofficial campaign slogan decrying the corruption and controversy that have befouled most District 14 councilmembers for decades.

From Los Angeles Times

Smudge-ugly oil derricks befouled the graves, and by around 1905, graves and gravestones had been moved to a new Home of Peace, well east of downtown.

From Los Angeles Times