foe

1 of 2

noun

ˈfō 

1

: one who has personal enmity for another

Embrace, embrace, my Sons! be foes no more!

—Alexander Pope

2

a

: an enemy in war

b

: adversary, opponent

a political foe

3

: one who opposes on principle

a foe of needless expenditures

a foe of censorship

4

: something prejudicial or injurious

a foe to health

FOE

2 of 2

abbreviation

Fraternal Order of Eagles

Synonyms of foe

Noun

• enemy
• opponent

Examples of foe in a Sentence

Noun

Many considered him a foe of democracy.

Her ability was acknowledged by friend and foe alike.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Daemon rocks the trailer with blood on his face from sticking his sword into foes. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 May 2026

The Bruins have faced foes’ best efforts all season. —Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 29 May 2026

In the semifinals, Barnes and Tran rallied past Marina’s David Tran and Alejandro Hill 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in a clash of Sunset League foes. —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

The Tigers will also play in the ACC/SEC Challenge, taking on a foe from the opposing league sometime before Southeastern Conference play begins. —Killian Wright, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English fo, from Old English fāh, from fāh, adjective, hostile; akin to Old High German gifēh hostile

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing foe

• mortal foe/rival

Rhymes for foe

• beau
• beaut
• beaux
• blow
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

foe

noun

ˈfō 

1

: one who hates another

2

: an enemy in war