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.

---

befoul British  

/ bɪˈfaʊl /

verb

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

---

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

At long last, the U.S. is thinking beyond the tailpipe to examine hidden ways that cars befoul the planet.

From Slate • Nov. 9, 2023

He has persevered through torrential downpours, droughts and, most vexingly, increasingly elaborate halftime shows that befoul his beloved turf.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2023

Cow pies befoul apple carts, a teddy bear and a man trying to save a young girl.

From Washington Times • Feb. 23, 2022

The aftereffects of this campaign may befoul our civic life for some time to come.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 23, 2016

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 "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri