Foil

Quick meaning: Foil is a noun meaning A very thin sheet of metal.

Meaning

A very thin sheet of metal.

More Meanings

1. A thin layer of metal put between a jewel and its setting to make it seem more brilliant.
2. (figuratively) Anything that acts by contrast to emphasise the characteristics of something.
3. (fencing) A very thin sword with a blunted (or foiled) tip.
4. A thin, transparent plastic material on which marks are made and projected for the purposes of presentation. See transparency.
5. (authorship, figuratively) In literature, theatre/theater, etc., a character who helps emphasize the traits of the main character and who usually acts as an opponent or antagonist, but can also serve as the sidekick of the protagonist.
6. (chiefly Euro English) A very thin sheet of plastic.
7. (chiefly uncountable) Thin aluminium/aluminum (or, formerly, tin) used for wrapping food.

Example Sentences

wrap the sandwich up in foil

Blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit, but hurt not.

1725-1726, William Broome, The Odyssey Hector has also a foil to set regard

As she a black silk cap on him begun / To set, for foil of his milk-white to serve.

Word Forms

• foils
• foiling
• foiled

Synonyms for foil

Depending on context, synonyms include tin foil, spoor, scupper, thwart, mar, mess up.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include cross, transparency, thwart, spoil, scotch, baffle.

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