foison: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Obsolete/LiteraryLiterary, Archaic, Poetic
Quick answer
What does “foison” mean?
Abundance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Abundance; plentifulness, especially of crops or food.
Physical strength or energy derived from nourishment; fertile capacity or productiveness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally archaic/rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes a rich, almost overflowing, natural abundance, often with a rustic or pastoral feel.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern use for both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British literature due to its Middle English and Scots origins.
Grammar
How to Use “foison” in a Sentence
[The + Noun] + Verb + with + foisonA + [Adjective] + foison + of + NounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foison” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This verb form is obsolete and not in use.
American English
- This verb form is obsolete and not in use.
adverb
British English
- No adverb form exists.
American English
- No adverb form exists.
adjective
British English
- The adjective form 'foisonless' (barren) is archaic.
American English
- The adjective form 'foisonless' (barren) is archaic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or literary analysis.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used in any technical field.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foison”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a foison').
- Using it in contemporary, non-literary contexts.
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈfɔɪsɒn/ (with a hard 's').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered an archaic or literary word. You will almost never hear it in everyday conversation.
Trying to use it in modern, non-literary contexts. It belongs to the language of poetry and historical texts.
Its core meaning is rooted in agricultural bounty. While it could be extended metaphorically (e.g., 'a foison of ideas'), this is very rare and stylistically marked.
It comes from Old French 'foison', meaning 'abundance', which in turn derives from Latin 'fusio', meaning 'a pouring out'.
Abundance.
Foison is usually literary, archaic, poetic in register.
Foison: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɔɪz(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɔɪzən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common modern idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FOI (French for 'faith') in the SON (sun). Have faith in the sun to produce an ABUNDANT harvest.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABUNDANCE IS A LIQUID THAT OVERFLOWS (e.g., 'The land flowed with foison').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'foison' be most appropriately used today?