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Foulness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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foulness

[ˈfaʊlnəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feeling

The quality or state of being foul; rankness; grossness; corruptness; vileness; depravity.

Synonyms

corruptness, depravity, rankness, vileness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
foulness

Used primarily to describe something that is physically dirty, unpleasant, or offensive to the senses. Can also refer to language or behavior that is morally offensive.

  • The foulness of the river made it impossible to swim.
  • He apologized for the foulness of his remarks.
rankness

Typically refers to something that is extremely offensive in smell or taste, but can also denote a high degree of severity or intensity.

  • The rankness of the garbage made it hard to breathe.
  • She couldn't ignore the rankness of his accusations.
corruptness

Often used in a political or moral context to describe someone or something that has been compromised or is dishonest.

  • The corruptness of the politician was exposed by the investigative journalists.
  • There are concerns about the corruptness within the organization.
vileness

Used to describe something that is extremely unpleasant or morally reprehensible. Has a strongly negative connotation.

  • The villain's vileness knew no bounds.
  • The vileness of his actions made him an outcast.
depravity

Employed to speak about moral corruption or wicked behavior of a severe, often shocking degree.

  • The novel explores the depravity of human nature.
  • The depravity of the crime shocked the entire community.

Examples of usage

  • The foulness of his language shocked everyone in the room.
  • She couldn't stand the foulness of the smell coming from the garbage can.
Context #2 | Noun

weather

A condition of the weather marked by rain, snow, wind, etc.; bad weather.

Synonyms

bad weather, inclement weather.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
foulness

Used to describe something very unpleasant or dirty, often referring to smell, taste, or moral character. Has a strongly negative connotation.

  • The foulness of the garbage made it impossible to stay in the room.
  • She was shocked by the foulness of his language.
bad weather

Refers to weather conditions that are not favorable, making it difficult or unpleasant to be outside. Commonly describes rain, snow, strong winds, or extreme temperatures.

  • We had to cancel the picnic because of the bad weather.
  • Driving in bad weather can be very dangerous.
inclement weather

A more formal and technical term for bad weather, specifically used in official or academic contexts. Often describes severe or extreme weather conditions.

  • All flights were delayed due to inclement weather.
  • Schools were closed because of the inclement weather conditions.

Examples of usage

  • The foulness of the storm forced them to cancel their outdoor plans.
  • Weather forecast warns of foulness approaching the area.
Context #3 | Noun

sports

A violation of the rules in a sport, typically resulting in a penalty.

Synonyms

penalty, violation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
foulness

Describes something dirty, offensive, or disgusting in appearance, smell, or nature. Frequently used in both literal and figurative senses.

  • The foulness of the air in the industrial area was almost unbearable
  • The foulness of his actions shocked everyone
violation

Indicates an act of breaking a rule, law, or agreement. Often used in legal, business, and moral contexts.

  • Parking in a handicapped spot without a permit is a serious violation
  • The company faced legal action due to violations of environmental regulations
penalty

Used in legal, sports, or formal contexts to denote a punishment or consequence for breaking a rule or law.

  • The player received a penalty for tripping his opponent
  • Not paying your taxes on time can result in a severe penalty

Examples of usage

  • The referee called a foulness on the player for tripping the opponent.
  • The foulness of the play led to a free throw for the other team.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Environmental Science

  • Foulness can refer to pollution, such as foul air or water, impacting ecosystems and health.
  • Wastewater and its foulness can lead to serious public health issues if not managed properly.
  • Microorganisms thrive in foul conditions, breaking down organic materials but also producing unpleasant odors.

Psychology

  • Perceptions of foulness can affect mood and behavior; unpleasant smells might evoke negative memories.
  • Disgust is a fundamental human emotion linked to foulness, influencing our reactions and interactions with the environment.
  • Studies show that foul environments can lead to lower cognitive performance and increased stress levels.

Cultural References

  • Literature often uses foulness as a theme to represent moral decay or corruption in society.
  • In films and TV shows, characters often comment on foulness when they are displeased, using it to enhance storytelling.
  • Foulness appears in various cultural proverbs, such as 'one man's trash is another man's treasure,' underlining personal perceptions of value and cleanliness.

Health

  • Foul odors can be warning signs of disease or decay, alerting individuals to potential health hazards.
  • Foulness in human waste is not just unpleasant but also indicates the need for proper sanitation and health measures.
  • A foul smell can lead to social consequences and stigmas in communities, affecting social interactions.

Origin of 'foulness'

Main points about word origin

  • The word stems from the Old English 'fÅ«l', meaning 'rotten' or 'offensive', connecting to the concept of decay.
  • Related words include 'foul' and 'foul play', showing how language evolved to express negativity and wrongdoing.
  • In Middle English, the term was used to describe both bad smells and bad behavior, highlighting a historical link between disgust and morality.

The word 'foulness' originates from the Middle English 'foulnesse', which is a combination of 'foul' (meaning morally or physically disgusting) and the suffix '-ness' (indicating a state or condition). Over the years, 'foulness' has been used to describe a variety of situations ranging from moral depravity to bad weather conditions, making it a versatile term in the English language.

See also: foul.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,294 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.