foil meaning and definition

FOIL noun

Definition of foil (noun)

1. a piece of thin and flexible sheet metal
   • "the photographic film was wrapped in foil"
2. anything that serves by contrast to call attention to another thing's good qualities
   • "pretty girls like plain friends as foils"
   • synonyms: enhancer
3. a device consisting of a flat or curved piece (as a metal plate) so that its surface reacts to the water it is passing through
   • "the fins of a fish act as hydrofoils"
   • synonyms: hydrofoil
4. picture consisting of a positive photograph or drawing on a transparent base; viewed with a projector
   • synonyms: transparency
5. a light slender flexible sword tipped by a button

FOIL verb

Definition of foil (verb)

1. enhance by contrast
   • "In this picture, the figures are foiled against the background"
2. hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
   • "What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge"; "foil your opponent"
   • synonyms: baffle, bilk, cross, frustrate, queer, scotch, spoil, thwart
3. cover or back with foil
   • "foil mirrors"