foiled

Foiled has several distinct senses in English, depending on context. The most common meaning is as the past tense and past participle of the verb foil, meaning to thwart or prevent. It is used to describe an attempt that was blocked or a plan that failed because of someone or circumstances. For example, “The burglary was foiled by the security system.” This sense is widely used in everyday language and in reporting.

A second sense relates to foil as a thin sheet of metal, typically aluminum or gold. When something is covered with foil or packaged with foil, it is described as foiled. This usage appears in food packaging, crafts, electronics, and decoration. Examples include foil-wrapped chocolates or foil-stamped lettering. In arts and crafts, foil stamping refers to applying metallic foil to surfaces for decoration.

In fencing, a foil is a type of weapon, and to foil can mean to thwart an opponent or to score with the foil in competition. In narrative writing, a plot may be foiled by a rival or unexpected event, reinforcing the sense of interruption or obstruction.

In nautical and recreational contexts, foils refer to hydrofoils—underwater wings that lift a hull as a vessel moves. A craft that uses these devices is described as foiling, enabling higher speeds and a smoother ride.

The term foiled therefore spans actions of obstruction, as well as materials and technologies that involve thin metal sheets or lifting surfaces. It commonly appears across everyday language, packaging, arts, sports, and science.