Befoul: meaning, definitions and examples

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befoul

 

[ bษชหˆfaสŠl ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

to make dirty

To befoul means to make something dirty or unclean by contaminating it with filth or other unwanted materials. This term is often used in a figurative sense to describe actions or behaviors that sully one's reputation or morals. It can apply to both physical and abstract concepts, such as purity, cleanliness, or respectability. The act of befouling may be intentional or unintentional, and it usually implies a degree of degradation. Overall, befoul suggests a significant departure from cleanliness or integrity.

Synonyms

dirty, dishonor, pollute, soil, taint

Examples of usage

  • The children befouled the park with trash.
  • He felt that the scandal would befoul his name forever.
  • The oil spill befouled the pristine beach.

Translations

Translations of the word "befoul" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น contaminar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เค‚เคฆเคพ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช beschmutzen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengotori

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐะฑั€ัƒะดะฝัŽะฒะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zanieczyszczaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฑšใ™

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท contaminer

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ contaminar

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kirletmek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋”๋Ÿฝํžˆ๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชู„ูˆุซ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zneฤistit

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zneฤistiลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฑกๆŸ“

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ onesnaลพiti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sรณรฐa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะปะฐััƒะปะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒ‘แƒ˜แƒœแƒซแƒฃแƒ แƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รงirklษ™ndirmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ contaminar

Etymology

The word 'befoul' originates from the Middle English term 'befoulen', which is formed by the prefix 'be-' combined with ' foul'. The root 'foul' comes from Old English 'fลซl', which means 'dirty' or 'unclean'. The use of 'be-' as a prefix typically indicates a process of causing something to become a certain way. In this case, 'befoul' conveys the action of causing something to become foul or dirty. The term has been used since the late Middle Ages and has remained relevant in literature and everyday language, particularly in poetic or formal contexts. Over the centuries, 'befoul' has retained its core meaning of causing defilement or contamination.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,381, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.