English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

bile

byl

Bile (noun) means a bitter yellowish-green fluid made by the liver and released into the intestine to help digest fat. Example: “Gallstones can block the flow of bile from the gallbladder.”

noun
1
A bitter yellowish-green fluid made by the liver and released into the intestine to help digest fat.
"Gallstones can block the flow of bile from the gallbladder."
2
Bitterness or irritability of temper.
"He vented his bile at anyone who dared disagree with him."

How to use bile

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the digestive fluid from the liver, or figuratively, pent-up anger and spite.

Common pairings
vent his bile bile duct bitter bile

Word forms

biles plural, biles plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “bile” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Gallstones can block the flow of _____ from the gallbladder.

Etymology

From Middle French bile, from Latin bīlis. It partly replaced the native English word gall, which survives in the phrase "gall bladder."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for bile

See all rhymes for bile →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bile” mean?

The word “bile” means a bitter yellowish-green fluid made by the liver and released into the intestine to help digest fat. In plain terms, either the digestive fluid from the liver, or figuratively, pent-up anger and spite.

How do you pronounce “bile”?

“Bile” is pronounced byl (/baɪl/ in IPA).

How do you use “bile” in a sentence?

Here is “bile” used in a sentence: “Gallstones can block the flow of bile from the gallbladder.”

What part of speech is “bile”?

“Bile” is a noun.

Where does the word “bile” come from?

The word “bile” comes from Latin. From Middle French bile, from Latin bīlis. It partly replaced the native English word gall, which survives in the phrase "gall bladder.".

Is “bile” a common word?

“Bile” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “bile” have?

“Bile” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a bitter yellowish-green fluid made by the liver and released into the intestine to help digest fat.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial