How Do You Spell FOIL?

Pronunciation: [fˈɔ͡ɪl] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "foil" is a common source of confusion due to its multiple meanings and pronunciations. In the context of cooking or packaging, "foil" is often pronounced /fɔɪl/, with a long "oi" sound. However, in fencing or literature, it is pronounced /fɔɪl/ with a shorter "oi" sound. This variation in pronunciation is due to its origin in Old French, where the spelling "foille" indicated a type of leaf. With time and changes in pronunciation, the spelling eventually stuck, resulting in the current spelling of "foil."

FOIL Meaning and Definition

  1. Foil, as a noun, is defined as a thin, flexible material made of metal typically used for wrapping or covering something. It is commonly made from aluminum and is used for various purposes such as food preservation, insulation, and protection against moisture and light. Foil can be easily molded or shaped around objects due to its flexibility and is often used in the packaging industry to seal and preserve goods. In cooking, foil is utilized to wrap and cook food, primarily to retain moisture and enhance the flavor.

    As a verb, to foil means to prevent the success or occurrence of something. It involves obstructing or thwarting someone's plans, efforts, or intentions. By foiling someone or something, one disrupts or hinders progress, usually through cunning or clever strategies. This term often applies to situations where one person outsmarts or outmaneuvers another, effectively preventing them from achieving their desired outcome.

    In literature, a foil character is one that contrasts with another character, typically the protagonist, in order to highlight specific qualities or traits. A foil character's differences often serve to accentuate the main character's strengths and weaknesses, emphasizing their unique features and personalities. This technique allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the protagonist by providing a point of comparison and contrast. Foils can aid in character development, enabling readers to see the range of characteristics and behaviors exhibited by different individuals within the story.

  2. • To frustrate; to defeat; to baffle; to render unavailing.
    • Defeat; frustration.
    • The blunted weapon used in fencing or in learning the sword exercise.
    • A thin leaf of metal, as tin-foil, silver-foil, &c.; a piece of gold or silver leaf set behind a gem to give it colour or lustre; anything used for showing another object to advantage; in arch., one of the small arcs in the tracery of Gothic windows, panels, &c.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for FOIL *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for FOIL

Etymology of FOIL

The word "foil" has different etymological origins, depending on the context in which it is used.

As a noun, "foil" is derived from the Old French term "foille", meaning "leaf" or "sheet". It entered the English language around the 14th century, originally describing a thin sheet of metal. of the word later extended to refer to a thin, flexible sword used in fencing.

The term "foil" as a verb, meaning to prevent someone from achieving their goals or to hinder their plans, has a different origin. It comes from the Old French verb "fulir", which means "to trample" or "to crush". Over time, its meaning evolved to include the idea of preventing or thwarting someone's actions.

Additionally, in the context of literature, a "foil" refers to a character who contrasts with another character in order to highlight certain qualities or traits.

Similar spelling words for FOIL

Plural form of FOIL is FOILS

Conjugate verb Foil

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have foiled
you would have foiled
he/she/it would have foiled
we would have foiled
they would have foiled
I would have foil
you would have foil
he/she/it would have foil
we would have foil
they would have foil

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been foiling
you would have been foiling
he/she/it would have been foiling
we would have been foiling
they would have been foiling

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would foil
you would foil
he/she/it would foil
we would foil
they would foil

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be foiling
you would be foiling
he/she/it would be foiling
we would be foiling
they would be foiling

FUTURE

I will foil
you will foil
he/she/it will foil
we will foil
they will foil

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be foiling
you will be foiling
he/she/it will be foiling
we will be foiling
they will be foiling

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have foiled
you will have foiled
he/she/it will have foiled
we will have foiled
they will have foiled

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been foiling
you will have been foiling
he/she/it will have been foiling
we will have been foiling
they will have been foiling

IMPERATIVE

you foil
we let´s foil

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to foil

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was foiling
you were foiling
he/she/it was foiling
we were foiling
they were foiling

PAST PARTICIPLE

foiled

PAST PERFECT

I had foiled
you had foiled
he/she/it had foiled
we had foiled
they had foiled

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been foiling
you had been foiling
he/she/it had been foiling
we had been foiling
they had been foiling

PRESENT

I foil
you foil
he/she/it foils
we foil
they foil

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am foiling
you are foiling
he/she/it is foiling
we are foiling
they are foiling

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

foiling

PRESENT PERFECT

I have foiled
you have foiled
he/she/it has foiled
we have foiled
they have foiled

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been foiling
you have been foiling
he/she/it has been foiling
we have been foiling
they have been foiling

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it foil

SIMPLE PAST

I foiled
you foiled
he/she/it foiled
we foiled
they foiled

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