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foul

foul

80 4.7
Containing rude or offensive language
  • adjective
  • /faʊl/
  • NSFW
: soez
  • I sat there and I heard so many foul things being said.
  • foul language

Then he talks about lapsing into foul language as as similar.

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Examples

  • Now that's just foul man.

  • So it's kind of foul that there are still people in jail for weed crimes.

  • We have to get you off of foul language.

  • "Excuse me, ladies, had I known you were present, I would not have used foul language.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • I shouldn't have used foul language with with them, but I was angry at the time.

  • No foul language.

  • Well, the Catholic Church frowns on foul language and unkind behavior, as well as abortion.

    Blog text (2)
  • Cindy, I don't like you using foul language, not a classy girl like you.

  • I forgave the licentious their license and the cursers their foul language.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The comedian's act was filled with foul jokes that made some audience members uncomfortable.

Synonyms

nasty
vsfoul
  • Offensive
535 1.8

Words or actions that hurt people

centers on indecency and obscenity rather than malice or harm
gross
vsfoul
  • Informal
333 2.3

Very unpleasant and making you feel sick or disgusted

is specifically about obscene or indecent content rather than general disgust
dirty
vsfoul
  • Offensive
296 6.4

Containing rude sexual words

is broader and covers offensive content not only sexual references
offensive
vsfoul
  • Offensive
276 4.0

Likely to make people angry or upset

is narrower, naming material that is indecent or sexually improper
crude
vsfoul
  • Offensive
52 5.1

Being rude and offensive, often about sex

is broader and may be offensive in a more explicit or refined way
vulgar
vsfoul
  • Offensive
52 6.5

Being rude and indecent in words or behaviour

is about indecency or obscenity rather than mere bad taste
filthy
vsfoul
  • Offensive
44 4.7

Words or jokes that are rude and about sex

covers indecency in speech or humor not only extreme dirtiness
obscene
vsfoul
  • Offensive
42 6.2

Sexually rude and offensive to many people

is broader and includes indecent or offensive content beyond sexual cases
lewd
vsfoul
  • Offensive
33 7.4

Sexually offensive or indecent in a way that shocks people

is broader, applying to indecent content beyond sexual suggestion
profane
vsfoul
  • NSFW
17 7.7

Showing no respect for holy things and often using rude words

focuses on indecency and obscenity not only disrespect toward sacred topics
smutty
vsfoul
  • Offensive
3 7.9

Containing sexual jokes or rude words

is a general term for indecent or offensive language or humor
highly offensive
vsfoul
  • Offensive
3 6.6

Very rude and likely to make people feel angry or hurt

is about indecent or obscene content, not primarily intense insult

Antonyms

396 2.8

Having good moral behavior

60 3.1

Helps your body and mind stay healthy

Idioms

no harm, no foul
  • Informal
9 8.4

Nothing bad happened, so it is okay

Compounds

57 5.3

An illegal, violent, or dishonest action that suggests a crime

15 7.7

A person who often says rude words

13 2.8

A ball in baseball hit outside the marked lines that is not in play

A very strong stink that makes you want to move away

7 4.3

A penalty called for bad behaviour during play that gives the other team a free throw

7 3.0

A line on the basketball court where players stand to shoot free throws

personal foul
  • Specialized
6 3.8

A rule break in sport when a player makes illegal rough contact with an opponent

foul-up
  • Informal
5 7.7

A serious, embarrassing mistake often caused by confusion or poor planning

party foul
  • Slang
2 8.2

A rude or embarrassing action at a social gathering that causes trouble

Clothing that keeps you dry and warm in rain or storms

1 3.2

Lines that mark the side edges of a baseball field past first and third base

foul shot
  • Specialized
1 2.6

A free throw in basketball taken from the line when an opponent breaks the rules

foul-spoken
  • Offensive
1 8.4

Using rude words that insult other people

1 3.8

A line on a bowling lane that a player must not cross when they throw

How Offensive

obscene
  • Offensive
42 6.2
foul
  • NSFW
80 4.7
offensive
  • Offensive
276 4.0
rude
558 1.0
impolite
21 2.3

Surface Forms

foul positive
fouler comparative
foulest superlative

Etymology

Foul for offensive or obscene content comes from the old idea fūl 'rotten' or 'bad', so 'foul' language is speech seen as morally 'rotten' or unacceptable.