adjective, vil·er, vil·est.
1.
wretchedly bad: a vile humor.
2.
highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable: vile slander.
3.
repulsive or disgusting, as to the senses or feelings: a vile odor.
4.
morally debased, depraved, or despicable: vile deeds.
5.
foul; filthy: vile language.
6.
poor; wretched: vile workmanship.
7.
of mean or low condition: a vile beggar.
8.
menial; lowly: vile tasks.
9.
degraded; ignominious: vile servitude.
10.
of little value or account; paltry: a vile recompense.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English vil < Old French < Latin vīlis of little worth, base, cheap
1250–1300; Middle English vil < Old French < Latin vīlis of little worth, base, cheap
Related forms
vile·ly, adverb
vile·ness, noun
Synonyms
1. See mean2. 3. repellent. 4. vicious, evil, iniquitous. 5. vulgar, obscene. 9, 10. contemptible. 10. trivial, trifling.
1. See mean2. 3. repellent. 4. vicious, evil, iniquitous. 5. vulgar, obscene. 9, 10. contemptible. 10. trivial, trifling.
Antonyms
1. good. 4. elevated.
1. good. 4. elevated.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To vile
00:10
Vile
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
vile (vaɪl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | abominably wicked; shameful or evil: the vile development of slavery appalled them |
| 2. | morally despicable; ignoble: vile accusations |
| 3. | disgusting to the senses or emotions; foul: a vile smell; vile epithets |
| 4. | tending to humiliate or degrade: only slaves would perform such vile tasks |
| 5. | unpleasant or bad: vile weather |
| 6. | paltry: a vile reward |
| [C13: from Old French vil, from Latin vīlis cheap] | |
| 'vilely | |
| —adv | |
| 'vileness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
vile
early 13c. (implied in vilety), from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. vile, from L. vilis "cheap, worthless, base, common," of unknown origin. Related: Vilely.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
The invasions were a specific, vile practice stemming from a specifically amoral corporate culture.
Yet the problem with cod liver oil remained its vile, nauseating, oily quality and taste.
Certainly there are vile thugs on the streets who should never see the light of day as free people again.
The word is a catch-all for every vile behavior humankind can muster.
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