noun
foe
foh
noun
1
An enemy, especially one actively opposed to or fighting against someone.
"The knight faced his oldest foe on the battlefield."
"Poverty remains humanity's stubborn foe."
How to Use Foe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn enemy or opponent, often used in a somewhat formal or literary way.
When to use it
"Foe" sounds more literary or dramatic than the everyday word "enemy."
Common pairings
friend or foe
a formidable foe
sworn foe
Word Forms
foes plural, foes plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “foe”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The knight faced his oldest _____ on the battlefield.
Etymology
From Old English fāh ("hostile"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to hate" — the same root that gave us words for feuding.