Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [bih-foul]
- /bɪˈfaʊl/
- /bɪˈfaʊl/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [bih-foul]
- /bɪˈfaʊl/
Definitions of befoul word
- verb befoul to make dirty or foul; soil; defile 3
- verb transitive befoul to make filthy; dirty; soil 3
- verb transitive befoul to cast aspersions on; slander 3
- verb with object befoul to make dirty or filthy; soil; defile; sully: a bird that befouls its own nest. 1
- verb befoul To make foul; to soil. 0
- verb befoul To entangle or run against so as to impede motion. 0
Information block about the term
Origin of befoul
First appearance:
before 1275 One of the 13% oldest English words
First recorded in 1275-1325, befoul is from the Middle English word bi-foulen. See be-, foul
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Befoul
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
befoul popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 75% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 63% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
befoul usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for befoul
verb befoul
- defile — To defile something that people think is important or holy means to do something to it or say something about it which is offensive.
- pollute — to make foul or unclean, especially with harmful chemical or waste products; dirty: to pollute the air with smoke.
- soil — the act or fact of soiling.
- malign — to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of; slander; defame: to malign an honorable man.
- slander — defamation; calumny: rumors full of slander.
Antonyms for befoul
verb befoul
- clean — Something that is clean is free from dirt or unwanted marks.
- purify — to make pure; free from anything that debases, pollutes, adulterates, or contaminates: to purify metals.
- cleanse — To cleanse a place, person, or organization of something dirty, unpleasant, or evil means to make them free from it.
- praise — the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with b
- Words starting with be
- Words starting with bef
- Words starting with befo
- Words starting with befou
- Words starting with befoul