personal foul

noun

: a foul in a game (such as basketball) involving usually physical contact with or deliberate roughing of an opponent compare technical foul

Examples of personal foul in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Smack made kicks of 58, 38 and 37 yards and drilled another 58-yarder that didn't count when Green Bay opted to take a personal foul penalty against the Steelers to extend a drive that later ended with Smack converting a shorter field goal. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Because summer-league games allow 10 personal fouls before a player is disqualified, that brand of physical basketball can bother young players. — Eric Nehm, New York Times, 19 July 2026 Essengue, 19, picked up three personal fouls in the first quarter. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026 Cunningham was ejected from the game, while Thomas was never assessed a personal foul or flagrant foul in game. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for personal foul

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1829, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of personal foul was circa 1829

Rhymes for personal foul

See All Rhymes for personal foul

Browse Nearby Words

personal flag
personal foul
personal freedom
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Personal foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personal%20foul. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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