foam
gb/fˈoʊm/ us/fˈoʊm/
B1
English
~ 6800
hab, habanyag, habszivacs, habzik, felhabosít, behabosít
NOUN
B1
1
hab
A2
Usage pattern:
foam on [liquid/surface]
A layer of white foam covered the top of the cappuccino.
Fehér habréteg borította a cappuccino tetejét.
The waves crashed against the rocks, leaving trails of foam behind.
A hullámok a szikláknak csapódtak, és habcsíkokat hagytak maguk után.
She rinsed the shampoo out until no foam was left in her hair.
There was a ring of brown foam around the inside of the beer glass.
The dog’s mouth was covered in thick foam, so they rushed it to the vet.
Learner examples
There was white foam on the sea.
Fehér hab volt a tenger felszínén.
The soap made a lot of foam in the sink.
A szappantól sok hab képződött a mosogatóban.
He likes a little foam on his coffee.
The beer had almost no foam on top.
She washed the car until the foam was gone.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"a foam"* when talking about the substance in general. In most cases, use uncountable *foam* (e.g., "There is foam on the water," not "There is a foam on the water"). Use the countable form mainly with modifiers, such as "a thick foam" or "a white foam."
Meaning
mass of tiny bubbles on liquid
Collocations
sea foam
|soap foam
|thick foam
|white foam
|foam on top
Synonyms
froth (Very close in meaning; a bit more common in older or more literary style, especially with drinks and waves.)
|
lather (Usually used for foam made from soap or shampoo rather than natural liquids like sea water.)
Antonyms
flatness (Used especially for drinks; describes a state with no bubbles or foam.)
Themes
nature
|food
|cleaning
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Many very small bubbles that sit on or in a liquid, like on the sea, on soap, or on a drink.
A mass of very small bubbles that forms on or in a liquid, such as on waves, beer, soap, or saliva.
NOUN
B1
2
habanyag
B2
habszivacs
B1
Usage pattern:
foam [noun] (e.g., foam mattress, foam padding)
We bought a new foam mattress because the old spring one hurt our backs.
Új habszivacs matracot vettünk, mert a régi rugós matractól fájt a hátunk.
Put a piece of foam under the laptop to protect it during shipping.
Tegyél egy darab habanyagot a laptop alá, hogy ne sérüljön meg szállítás közben.
They installed foam insulation in the walls to keep the house warmer.
She lay on a foam mat during the yoga class.
The package was filled with foam blocks so the glass wouldn’t break.
Learner examples
He sleeps on a foam mattress.
Habszivacs matracon alszik.
The phone came in a box with foam inside.
A telefon habanyaggal bélelt dobozban érkezett.
She used foam padding to protect the floor.
They put foam in the walls of the new house.
I roll my legs on a foam roller after running.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes treat this meaning as always an adjective and say *"I bought a foam"* when they mean a foam mattress or foam pad. Say "a foam mattress," "a piece of foam," or "foam padding" instead of just "a foam."
Meaning
light, spongy man‑made material
Collocations
foam mattress
|foam padding
|foam insulation
|foam board
|memory foam
|foam roller
Synonyms
foam rubber (Refers specifically to foam made from rubber; often used for cushions and mattresses.)
|
sponge (A similar soft, porous material; usually smaller objects used for cleaning rather than large sheets or blocks.)
Antonyms
solid (Describes material with no air pockets, the opposite of light, porous foam.)
Themes
materials
|household
|construction
|core_vocabulary
|housing
|sports
Definition
A man-made, light, spongy material with lots of air inside, used in things like beds, boxes, and safety pads.
A light, often soft or rigid material containing many tiny air pockets, used for things like mattresses, packaging, insulation, and sports equipment.
VERB
B2
3
habzik
B1
Usage pattern:
[liquid/animal/person] foams
The angry dog growled and foamed at the mouth.
A dühös kutya morgott, és habzott a szája.
The strong detergent made the water foam as soon as it hit the sink.
Az erős mosószer hatására a víz habzani kezdett, amint a mosogatóba folyt.
The river foamed as it rushed over the rocks.
The beer foamed and spilled over the edge of the glass.
The waves foamed and crashed against the sea wall during the storm.
Learner examples
The waves foamed when they hit the rocks.
A hullámok habzottak, amikor a szikláknak csapódtak.
The water started to foam when she added soap.
A víz habzani kezdett, amikor szappant tett hozzá.
The sick dog was foaming at the mouth.
The soda foamed and came out of the bottle.
The river foamed as it moved fast.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"The water made foam"* instead of using the verb: "The water foamed." Also, *"foam from the mouth"* is often more natural as *"foam at the mouth"*.
Meaning
produce or be covered with foam
Collocations
foam at the mouth
|waves foamed
|beer foamed
|water foamed
Synonyms
froth (Almost the same meaning; slightly more literary and often used with drinks and waves.)
|
bubble (Focuses more on forming bubbles, not necessarily a thick layer of foam.)
Antonyms
go flat (Used especially for drinks; means to lose its bubbles and foam.)
Themes
nature
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make foam or to have foam on the surface, like waves, beer, or a sick animal’s mouth.
To produce foam or become covered with foam, especially of liquids, waves, or the mouth of an animal or person.
VERB
B2
4
felhabosít
B1
behabosít
B1
Usage pattern:
foam [liquid/surface]
The barista carefully foamed the milk for my latte.
A barista gondosan felhabosította a tejet a lattémhoz.
Rub the shampoo in your hands to foam it before you apply it.
Habosítsd fel a sampont a tenyeredben, mielőtt felviszed.
This face wash doesn’t foam much, but it still cleans well.
She used a special pump to foam the soap for the dispenser.
Foam the cleanser in your hands and then massage it onto your face.
Learner examples
He foamed the milk for my coffee.
Felhabosította a tejet a kávémhoz.
This soap does not foam very much.
Ez a szappan nem nagyon habzik.
First, foam the shampoo in your hands.
The machine foams the milk automatically.
She likes face washes that foam a lot.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"make the milk foam"* where native speakers often say *"foam the milk"*. Both are correct, but *"foam the milk"* is shorter and common in coffee-making contexts.
Meaning
make liquid foamy or cover with foam
Collocations
foam the milk
|foamed milk
|foam cleanser
|foam shampoo
Synonyms
froth (Common in coffee and barista talk; often used instead of *foam* in professional contexts.)
|
lather (Used mainly when creating foam from soap or shampoo on skin or hair.)
Antonyms
deflate (To remove air or gas so something loses its volume; the opposite of adding air to create foam.)
Themes
food
|cleaning
|daily_life
|food_drink
Definition
To make foam in a liquid or put foam on something, for example when making coffee or washing.
To cause a liquid to become foamy or to cover something with foam, especially when preparing drinks or cleaning.
Grammar
Dictionary form
foam
IPA
GB/fˈoʊm/
US/fˈoʊm/
Syllables & stress
foam (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (foam)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: foam
- Plural: foam
Verb
- Base: foam
- 3rd Person Singular: foams
- Present Participle: foaming
- Past: foamed
Word family
Forms
foams
verb
foaming
verb
foamed
verb
Core family
foamy
adjective
Expressions
foam mattress
3/fˈoʊm mˈætɹəs/
fixed phrase
mattress made from foam
A bed mattress that is made mostly from foam instead of metal springs.
Examples
- They replaced the old spring bed with a foam mattress.
- A good foam mattress can reduce pressure on your back and shoulders.
foam party
4/fˈoʊm pˈɑɹti/
fixed phrase
informal
party with foam on the dance floor
A party, usually in a club, where machines spray a lot of foam onto the dance floor and people dance in it.
Examples
- The club is hosting a foam party this weekend.
- They came home soaked after dancing at the foam party.
memory foam
6/mˈɛmɚi fˈoʊm/
fixed phrase
soft foam that remembers shape
A special soft type of foam used in mattresses and pillows that slowly goes back to its normal shape after you press it.
Examples
- We bought a memory foam mattress to help with my back pain.
- This pillow is made of memory foam, so it supports your neck better.
- She prefers memory foam because it feels softer and more comfortable.
sea foam
7/sˈi fˈoʊm/
fixed phrase
foam on the surface of the sea
Foam that forms on the surface of the sea when waves move and break.
Examples
- The beach was covered with sea foam after the storm.
- Children played in the sea foam at the water’s edge.
shaving foam
8/ʃˈeɪvɪŋ fˈoʊm/
fixed phrase
foamy product for shaving
A foamy cream or gel that you put on your face or body to make the hair soft before shaving.
Examples
- He bought shaving foam and new razor blades at the supermarket.
- Apply the shaving foam evenly and let it sit for a minute before you shave.
foam at the mouth
1/fˈoʊm ˈæt ðə mˈaʊθ/
idiom
informal
show extreme anger or excitement
To be so angry or excited that it shows strongly on your face and actions.
Examples
- The fans were practically foaming at the mouth with excitement.
- He was foaming at the mouth when he heard about the decision.
foam at the mouth
2/fˈoʊm ˈæt ðə mˈaʊθ/
idiom
be extremely, visibly angry
To be extremely angry, in a way that is very clear from how you look, speak, or act. (Originally from the image of an animal with foam around its mouth.)
Examples
- He was foaming at the mouth when he found out they had lied to him.
- Commentators were foaming at the mouth over the referee’s decision.
- She practically foamed at the mouth when she saw the mess in the kitchen.
foam roller
5/fˈoʊm ɹˈoʊlɚ/
fixed phrase
foam cylinder for muscle massage
A hard tube made of foam that you roll your body on to massage and relax your muscles.
Examples
- I use a foam roller after running to loosen my leg muscles.
- She uses a foam roller after running to relax her legs.
- The trainer showed us how to use a foam roller for our backs.
- The trainer showed them how to use a foam roller safely.
- A foam roller can help reduce muscle soreness after workouts.