Foil Meaning
/fɔɪl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA very thin sheet of metal or plastic.
nameAn acronym for the algorithm for multiplying two binomials.
Sentence Examples
Let's practice foil fencing.
Let's practice with the foil.
Cover the chicken loosely with foil.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She used thin aluminum ____ to wrap sandwiches and keep them fresh for lunch.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Her plans to surprise him were ____ when he accidentally saw the gift she had hidden in the closet.
Word Origin & History
Acronym of first outer inner last or similar.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Whereas the female invests heavily in the wake of conception, the male invests heavily prior to conception. Hitherto, the male has been regarded as the mere foil to the heavy investment in reproduction that renders the female the logjam (the limiting factor) in reproduction – reproduction overall is expandable by increasing the number of females, not by increasing the number of males."
— 2019, Steve Paul Moxon, “The Sexes Serve to Purge Mutations by Selection on Males, Boosting the Function of Sex to Maintain Genomic Integrity]”, in New Male Studies, volume 8, number 1, pages 46–47 of 25–51, archived from the original on 06 Aug 2021:
"As Puss comes to realize his legendary status is not a substitute for interpersonal connection, his interactions with Kitty and the therapy dog start to take on a surprising amount of weight, while Goldilocks serves as a well-realized foil who has more in common with Puss that is at first apparent."
— 2022 December 20, Leigh Monson, “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish review: Antonio Banderas leads the best film yet in the Shrek franchise”, in AV Club, archived from the original on 14 Mar 2023:
"As she a black silk cap on him begun / To set, for foil of his milk-white to serve."
— a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC:
"Blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit, but hurt not."
— 1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
"The country’s fencing federation has officially recognised lightsaber duelling as a competitive sport, granting the weapon from George Lucas’s space saga the same status as the foil, epee and sabre, the traditional blades used at the Olympics."
— 2019 February 19, “Lightsaber duelling registered as official sport in France”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 08 Nov 2020:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She used thin aluminum ____ to wrap sandwiches and keep them fresh for lunch.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Her plans to surprise him were ____ when he accidentally saw the gift she had hidden in the closet.