Cool MateFoul vs Stink
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Foul
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Stink
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Stink
| Foul | Stink | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //faʊl//🇺🇸 //faʊl// | 🇬🇧 //stɪŋk//🇺🇸 //stɪŋk// |
| Meaning | A bad or unfair action in a game or sport. | To smell very bad. |
| Example | He received a yellow card for a 'foul' during the match. | The garbage can started to stink after a week. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | commit a foul, serious foul, foul play | stink of, really stink, stink up, make things stink, stink to high heaven |
| Antonyms | fair play, honor | sweet, fragrance, perfume |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fowl', which means bird., Using 'foul' in a non-sport context incorrectly., Mistaking 'foul' for 'foul play' when discussing wrongdoing. | Confused with 'stunk' - remember it's present tense., Using 'stink' with only a subject - needs an object., Mixing up with 'smell' - 'stink' is more negative. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in sports contexts to describe illegal actions. Avoid in formal writing unless discussing rules. | Often used informally. Can refer to bad smells or unpleasant situations. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Foul vs Stink
What's the difference between Foul and Stink?
Foul: A bad or unfair action in a game or sport. Stink: To smell very bad.
Which is more common: Foul and Stink?
Stink is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Foul: He received a yellow card for a 'foul' during the match. Stink: The garbage can started to stink after a week.
Can I use Foul and Stink interchangeably?
Not always. Foul and Stink are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.