What Is the Difference between "Foul" and "Fowl"?
The Quick Answer
- In fair weather, you must prepare for foul weather. (Thomas Fuller)
- "That was a foul, referee."
- Many birds that are eaten by humans are fowl, including poultry such as chickens or turkeys.
Foul
The adjective foul describes something repulsive. In sport, the noun foul is a violation of the rules of the game.Examples:
- It is better to use fair means and fail than foul means and conquer.
(Sallust) - Golf is the only game I know where you call a foul on yourself. (Joe Torre)
Fowl
The noun fowl describes birds. Fowl can be barnyard, domesticated, or wild birds.Examples:
- People always say "Etta, you know what your problem is? You're neither fish nor fowl. There is no place to rack you." (Etta James)
- Many languages do not distinguish between "poultry" and "fowl."
A Quick Test
Hot Tip
Let the owl in fowl remind you that fowl is a bird.
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