befoul

[ bih-foul ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make dirty or filthy; soil; defile; sully:

   a bird that befouls its own nest.

befoul

/ bɪˈfaʊl /

verb

1. tr to make dirty or foul; soil; defile

Derived Forms

• beˈfoulment, noun
• beˈfouler, noun

Other Words From

• be·fouler noun
• be·foulment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of befoul¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, befoul is from the Middle English word bi-foulen. See be-, foul

Example Sentences

But in this case, there's a giant pile of receipts from Trump's four years befouling the White House.

From Salon

But then, Samir said that the ghosts would never risk stealing our breath because Rasseem was with us, and his breath could befoul the afterlife.

From Literature

Trump is scared out of his befouled shorts.

From Salon

They say there are two dozen large, concentrated animal farming operations — which collectively house almost 3 million animals — befouling watersheds and torturing livestock and poultry in confined lots and cages.

From Los Angeles Times

On another wall was a banner reading “Break The Curse” — an unofficial campaign slogan decrying the corruption and controversy that have befouled most District 14 councilmembers for decades.

From Los Angeles Times