26984 words

foil

10 definitions • 8 examples
1
a very thin sheet of metal, especially used to wrap food in to keep it fresh:

Examples:

tin foil
UK aluminium foil
2
a piece of a very thin metal sheet or paper used to wrap a piece of someone's hair when it is being dyed or highlighted (= its colour is being changed):

Examples:

The hairdresser chatted as he put the foils in.
3
something or someone that makes another's good or bad qualities more noticeable:

Examples:

foil for The older, cynical character in the play is the perfect foil for the innocent William.
4
a thin, light sword used in the sport of fencing
5
to prevent someone or something from being successful:

Examples:

The prisoners' attempt to escape was foiled at the last minute when police received a tip-off.
6
a very thin sheet of metal, used esp. for wrapping food:

Examples:

aluminum foil
7
someone or something that makes another’s good or bad qualities all the more noticeable:

Examples:

The older, cynical character in the play is the perfect foil for the innocent William.
8
a thin, light weapon with a long blade used in the sport of fencing
9
to prevent someone or something from being successful:

Examples:

An attempted coup against the country’s military ruler was foiled yesterday.
10
abbreviation for first, outer, inner, last, the rule for multiplying two binomials (= statements that have two numbers or symbols each)

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