foam

[ fohm ]

noun

1. a collection of minute bubbles formed on the surface of a liquid by agitation, fermentation, etc.:

   foam on a glass of beer.

   Synonyms: scum, fizz, head, spume, froth

2. the froth of perspiration, caused by great exertion, formed on the skin of a horse or other animal.
3. froth formed from saliva in the mouth, as in epilepsy and rabies.
4. a thick frothy substance, as shaving cream.
5. (in firefighting)
   1. a chemically produced substance that smothers the flames on a burning liquid by forming a layer of minute, stable, heat-resistant bubbles on the liquid's surface.
   2. the layer of bubbles so formed.
6. a dispersion of gas bubbles in a solid, as foam glass, foam rubber, polyfoam, or foamed metal.
7. Literary. the sea.

verb (used without object)

1. to form or gather foam; emit foam; froth.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to foam.
2. to cover with foam; apply foam to:

   to foam a runway before an emergency landing.

3. to insulate with foam.
4. to make (plastic, metal, etc.) into a foam.

foam

/ fəʊm /

noun

1. a mass of small bubbles of gas formed on the surface of a liquid, such as the froth produced by agitating a solution of soap or detergent in water
2. frothy saliva sometimes formed in and expelled from the mouth, as in rabies
3. the frothy sweat of a horse or similar animal
4. 1. any of a number of light cellular solids made by creating bubbles of gas in the liquid material and solidifying it: used as insulators and in packaging
   2. ( as modifier )

      foam rubber

      foam plastic

5. a colloid consisting of a gas suspended in a liquid
6. a mixture of chemicals sprayed from a fire extinguisher onto a burning substance to create a stable layer of bubbles which smothers the flames
7. a poetic word for the sea

verb

1. to produce or cause to produce foam; froth
2. intr to be very angry (esp in the phrase foam at the mouth )

foam

/ fōm /

1. Small, frothy bubbles formed in or on the surface of a liquid, as from fermentation or shaking.
2. A colloid in which particles of a gas are dispersed throughout a liquid.
3. Compare aerosol

Derived Forms

• ˈfoamˌlike, adjective
• ˈfoamless, adjective

Other Words From

• foama·ble adjective
• foamer noun
• foaming·ly adverb
• foamless adjective
• foamlike adjective
• de·foam verb (used with object)
• un·foamed adjective
• un·foaming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foam¹

before 900; Middle English fom, Old English fām; cognate with German Feim

Word History and Origins

Origin of foam¹

Old English fām ; related to Old High German feim , Latin spūma , Sanskrit phena

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. foam at the mouth, to be extremely or uncontrollably angry.

Example Sentences

Spray foam insulation has been used to stop heat escaping from roofs, lofts and attics for decades and comes in two forms.

From BBC

Two hundred bones are packed in crates, each in its own custom foam cradle.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Botero claims that less than a millimetre of this coating will provide the same insulating effect as 40 millimetres of foam.

From BBC

Mr Parsons, of the South Western Ambulance Service, said when he checked Ms Skripal she had a “slow heart rate” and was “foaming at the mouth”.

From BBC

The famed beverage is topped with cookie butter cold foam and a sprinkle of cookie butter crumbles, making it the perfect treat to enjoy during the holidays.

From Salon

Related Words

• cream
• froth
• spray