Synonyms

fouling

American

[fou-ling] / ˈfaʊ lɪŋ /

noun

an encrusted deposit, especially on a submerged object, as the hull of a ship.

Other Word Forms

nonfouling

adjective

Etymology

Origin of fouling

1350–1400; Middle English foulinge; see foul, -ing ¹

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.

“They somehow do all of that without fouling, which is one of the most remarkable things, I think, in NBA history.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2026

They said: "If members of the public witness any instances of dog fouling, we would encourage them to report it by completing a form on our website."

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Mali captain Bissouma was yellow-carded midway through the half for fouling veteran Senegal striker and twice African player of the year Sadio Mane.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

However, a judge ordered the council to re-look at the complaint, saying it had not considered the nub of the matter - whether the fouling constituted a "statutory nuisance".

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

“You know how much Dusty Muleman got fined for dumping his holding tank? For fouling nature with that awful crap? Guess what his punishment was!”

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023