Befoul

Pronunciation: /bɪˈfaʊl/

Definitions of befoul

verb to make dirty or polluted

Example Sentences

A1 Please do not befoul the park by leaving trash on the ground.

A2 The river was befouled by industrial waste, making it unsafe for swimming.

B1 The reputation of the company was befouled by the scandal.

B2 The once pristine beach was befouled by an oil spill.

C1 The artist's legacy was befouled by allegations of plagiarism.

C2 The political campaign was befouled by negative attack ads.

Examples of befoul in a Sentence

formal The environmentalists were concerned that the factory's emissions would befoul the pristine river.

informal Don't befoul the kitchen with your dirty shoes.

slang I can't believe he befouled the toilet and didn't clean it up.

figurative His lies befoul the reputation of the entire company.

Grammatical Forms of befoul

• past tense: befouled
• plural: befoul
• comparative: more befouled
• superlative: most befouled
• present tense: befouls
• future tense: will befoul
• perfect tense: has befouled
• continuous tense: is befouling
• singular: befoul
• positive degree: befoul
• infinitive: befoul
• gerund: befouling
• participle: befouling

Origin and Evolution of befoul

First Known Use: 0014 year

Language of Origin: Middle English

Story behind the word: The word 'befoul' originated from Middle English, derived from the combination of 'be-' (intensive prefix) and 'foul' (to make dirty or unclean).

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'befoul' has retained its original meaning of making something dirty or unclean, but it may also be used metaphorically to refer to tarnishing someone's reputation or character.