fouls: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Formal (in sports contexts); can be informal in extended meanings (e.g., 'foul mood').
Quick answer
What does “fouls” mean?
Acts that break the rules of a game or sport, especially in a way that is considered unfair or dangerous.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Acts that break the rules of a game or sport, especially in a way that is considered unfair or dangerous.
Can also refer to anything that is offensive, disgusting, or morally repugnant; or to the act of making something dirty or polluted.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The word is used identically in sports contexts. Slight preference in UK English for 'commit a foul' where US might use 'get called for a foul'.
Connotations
Identical. Strongly associated with rule-breaking in sports.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties due to global sports coverage.
Grammar
How to Use “fouls” in a Sentence
Player + commits + foulsReferee + calls + foulsTeam + has + X foulsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fouls” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He fouls the striker just outside the box.
- The dog fouled the pavement.
American English
- She fouls the shooter to stop an easy basket.
- The scandal fouled his reputation.
adverb
British English
- The ball went foul of the line.
- He played foul and was sent off.
American English
- The pitch was hit foul.
- She felt she had been treated foul.
adjective
British English
- That was a foul tackle.
- There's a foul smell in the fridge.
American English
- He's in a foul mood today.
- The water was foul and undrinkable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear metaphorically: 'The company fell foul of new regulations.'
Academic
In sports science or law journals discussing rules and ethics.
Everyday
Common in discussions of football, basketball, etc. 'He got a yellow card for two fouls.'
Technical
Precise term in sports rulebooks and referee training.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fouls”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fouls”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fouls”
- Using 'fouls' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'too much fouls').
- Confusing 'foul' (adj/verb/noun) with 'fowl' (bird).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. As a noun, its core meaning relates to sports. The verb and adjective have wider uses (e.g., 'foul the air', 'foul language').
In basketball, 'foul' involves illegal personal contact with an opponent. 'Violation' is a lesser infraction of the rules not involving contact (e.g., travelling, double dribble).
No, 'fouls' is the plural noun or 3rd person singular verb. The adjective is 'foul' (e.g., a foul smell).
It's an idiom meaning to complain that something is unfair or dishonest, often when you are at a disadvantage.
Acts that break the rules of a game or sport, especially in a way that is considered unfair or dangerous.
Fouls is usually neutral to formal (in sports contexts); can be informal in extended meanings (e.g., 'foul mood'). in register.
Fouls: in British English it is pronounced /faʊlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /faʊlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cry foul”
- “foul play”
- “fall foul of”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a fowl (bird) behaving badly on the pitch – a 'foul fowl' commits fouls.
Conceptual Metaphor
RULE-BREAKING IS DIRTY/CONTAMINATING (e.g., 'a foul tackle', 'foul play').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'fouls' LEAST likely to be used?