foe
noun
a person who feels enmity, hatred, or malice toward another; enemy.
foe
1 American
[foh]
/ foʊ /
noun
-
foes
plural
-
a person who feels enmity, hatred, or malice toward another; enemy.
a bitter foe.
- Synonyms:
- antagonist, opponent
- Antonyms:
- friend
-
a military enemy; hostile army.
- Antonyms:
- friend
-
a person belonging to a hostile army or nation.
- Synonyms:
- antagonist, opponent
- Antonyms:
- friend
-
an opponent in a game or contest; adversary.
a political foe.
- Synonyms:
- antagonist, opponent
-
a person who is opposed in feeling, principle, etc., to something.
a foe to progress in civil rights.
- Synonyms:
- antagonist, opponent
-
a thing that is harmful to or destructive of something.
Sloth is the foe of health.
F.O.E.
2
American
abbreviation
FoE
1
British
abbreviation
foe
2
British
/ fəʊ /
noun
Synonym Usage
See enemy.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of foe
First recorded before 900; Middle English foo, Old English fāh “hostile,” gefāh “enemy”; cognate with Old High German gifēh “at war”; see origin at feud 1
Explanation
A foe is an enemy. Foes can range from an adversary of one person to that of a nation, from “he is my foe” to “they are my foe.” There is also a “that is my foe” who those who are trying to diet know well, aka chocolate. A cousin of the word feud (though they don’t get a long of course) foe may refer to a military opponent or a personal nemesis or rival — Lex Luthor is Superman’s foe. Historically, foes often come in pairs — such as the North and the South in the Civil War. The word foe is sometimes used for an opposing concept or a thing — if you are on a diet, chocolate may be your foe.
Vocabulary lists containing foe
Beowulf vocabulary
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The Star Spangled Banner
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"Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“She’s brought an extra fire to this whole effort, and really inspired a lot of young people,” said Jon Christensen, gondola foe and co-founder of the Los Angeles Parks Alliance.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026
Leading the Future can be a formidable foe, as it has reported raising about $75 million as of June 30.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
Footage of Cunningham coolly staring down and pointing mockingly at one such foe for 22 unflinching seconds following a scuffle last month went viral, launching countless memes.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
That supports the UK's armed forces which remain highly regarded by friend and foe alike.
From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026
It does us great discredit to treat a defeated foe like this.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
While Wall greeted and posed with children for three hours at his morning event, about three miles away in another Southeast location, Wizards power forward Markieff Morris and his F.O.E.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 4, 2018
Marcus wore one gold and one silver chain representing the brothers’ motto, F.O.E.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 16, 2017
FoE Scotland said politicians at a local and national level had been too slow in reducing car traffic in urban areas and in making public transport both reliable and affordable.
From BBC ● Jan. 18, 2020
FoE Scotland estimates that 2,500 people die prematurely each year because of air pollution which has been linked to respiratory conditions such as asthma.
From BBC ● Jan. 21, 2018
If we go by the standards FoE are demanding of tin supplies then perhaps that is what is being demanded.
From Forbes ● Nov. 8, 2013
Again, by that FoE and tin standard this does seem to be what is being campaigned for.
From Forbes ● Nov. 8, 2013
"It is a wholly inadequate response to the greatest environmental crisis of our time," said FoE president Brent Blackwelder.
From Time Magazine Archive
In response to the video, fans and foes alike flooded the comments section with remarks about Grande’s appearance and apparent weight loss.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
Holy Trinity Tattoo Studio in Standish managed to squeeze Sean in before England took on Norway in the quarter final, teeing up Wednesday night's mouth-watering semi against old foes Argentina.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
His friends and foes alike—most fell somewhere in between—already knew that well enough.
From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026
The latest strikes raised the spectre of renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia after years of relative calm between the two foes -- as well as fears of broader conflict in Yemen.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
“Strike off these irons and let me help you take it, Sire. Your Grace’s royal brother was renowned for turning fallen foes into friends. Make me your man.”
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
