foulness

[ foul-nis ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being foul:

   The foulness of the accusation incensed us all.

2. something that is foul; foul matter; filth.
3. wickedness.

foulness

¹

/ ˈfaʊlnɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being foul
2. obscenity; vulgarity
3. viciousness or inhumanity
4. foul matter; filth

Foulness

²

/ faʊlˈnɛs /

noun

1. a flat marshy island in SE England, in Essex north of the Thames estuary

Word History and Origins

Origin of foulness¹

before 1150; Middle English; Old English fūlnes. See foul, -ness

Example Sentences

In the decades since, though, the main charge against the show hasn’t been foulness so much as incoherence.

From New York Times

CNN's special has been widely — and deservedly so — criticized for allowing the disgraced former president a platform to spread more of his lies, disinformation, and other political effluence and foulness before a potential viewing audience of many millions of people.

From Salon

When he finally arrived, he idled in the driveway for a moment, hoping his foulness might dissipate before he had to encounter his young family.

From Slate

The foulness is in the very air they breathe; they might choke if they thought about it.

From New York Times

My entirely inadequate advice will remain unchanged: Sit in the foulness of the roiling storm and do your work, whatever that may be, and triangulate by the light of whatever star feels eternal to you.

From Slate