foiler

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnicalsport

   A boat or board that lifts above the water on underwater wings, letting it go faster.

   Grammar: Countable; use 'a foiler' for one and 'foilers' for several.

   Patterns

   • a hydrofoil foiler
   • sail a foiler
   • ride a foiler

   The new foiler lifted clear of the waves and sped across the bay.

   She learned to sail a foiler during the summer regatta.

   Foilers can reach high speeds because less of the hull touches the water.

2. 2nouncountableinformal

   A person who prevents someone else from succeeding, especially in a contest or plan.

   Grammar: Countable and usually informal; often used with a name or team, e.g. 'the party foiler'.

   Patterns

   • a foiler of plans
   • the foiler of someone's hopes

   The underdog team turned out to be the foiler of the champion's season.

   He played the foiler, blocking every move his rival made.

Word forms

Common combinations

hydrofoil foiler

The hydrofoil foiler skimmed over the harbor.

sail a foiler

They sailed a foiler in the afternoon race.

foiler board

He bought a foiler board for kite surfing.

the foiler of plans

She became the foiler of their elaborate plans.

Synonyms and how they differ

hydrofoil

A hydrofoil is the boat or the wing itself; 'foiler' is a newer, informal term for a craft or board that uses foils.

spoiler

A spoiler ruins someone's enjoyment or success more broadly; a foiler specifically blocks a plan or a win.

obstacle

An obstacle is a thing in the way; a foiler is a person or craft that actively stops progress.

Opposites

Word family

foil verb

To stop someone's plan from succeeding.

foil noun

A thin metal sheet, or an underwater wing on a boat.

foiling noun

The sport or activity of riding a foiling board or boat.

Commonly confused: foiler or fowler? foiler or folder?

Practice

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