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personal foul

American

noun

Sports.

a foul called in certain games, as basketball or football, for illegal body contact or rough, unsportsmanlike play.

Etymology

Origin of personal foul

First recorded in 1820–30

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.

Notre Dame lost its standout nose tackle, Chris Colon, for next week’s game after being ejected for two 15-yard personal foul penalties.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2025

There were numerous 15-yard personal foul penalties for taunting, late hits, grabbing the face mask and a horse collar.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2025

Following Metcalf’s TD, Tennessee scored after Seattle cornerback Artie Burns was called for a personal foul for shoving Tennessee’s Mason Kinsey after a play that would have set up a third-and-4.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 24, 2023

Though Locksley didn’t specify, two calls last week stood out, both 15-yard personal foul penalties.

From Washington Times • Nov. 16, 2023

The first came early in the second quarter, when a 14-yard Dillon Johnson touchdown run was negated by a personal foul on left tackle Troy Fautanu.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 7, 2023

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