foul-spoken

Thân thiện

A foul-spoken man argues loudly in a crowded market.

Definition

Adjective: Using foul, obscene, or abusive language; characterized by speaking in a vulgar, offensive, or profane manner.

Usage

This adjective is used to describe a person, their speech, or their manner of speaking. It is a formal and somewhat literary term that strongly emphasizes the habitual or characteristic use of offensive language.

Examples

• The foul-spoken sailor shocked the polite company at the dinner party.
• He was known throughout the village as a foul-spoken old man.
• The manager was fired not only for incompetence but for being consistently foul-spoken to his staff.

Advanced Usage

• Descriptive Use: The term often implies that the use of foul language is a defining or habitual trait of the person.
  • Despite his brilliant mind, his reputation was marred by being foul-spoken.
• Attributive Use: It is most commonly used directly before a noun.
  • The play features a foul-spoken antagonist who provides crude comic relief.

Variants and Related Words

• Foul-mouthed: A more common synonym with identical meaning.
• Profane: (Adjective) Showing disrespect for sacred things; irreverent. Can also describe language.
• Obscene: (Adjective) Offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency.
• Vulgar: (Adjective) Lacking sophistication or good taste; coarse.

Synonyms

• Abusive
• Blasphemous
• Coarse-tongued
• Scatological
• Vituperative

Antonyms

• Polite
• Refined
• Courteous
• Decorous
• Well-spoken

Notes

'Foul-spoken' is a compound adjective where 'foul' modifies the past participle 'spoken'. It is less frequent in modern everyday English than its synonym 'foul-mouthed'. It carries a strong connotation of moral judgment and social disapproval.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. using foul or obscene language
   • noisy foul-mouthed women all shouting at once

Từ đồng nghĩa

• foul-mouthed