defile
Defile (verb) means to make something dirty, corrupt, or impure, often something considered sacred or pure. Example: “Vandals defiled the ancient temple with spray paint.”
How to use defile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo spoil or corrupt something pure — or, as a noun, a narrow passage soldiers must cross single file.
The verb and the noun are historically unrelated words that happen to look identical — don't assume one explains the other.
Word forms
defiled past tense, defiled past tense, defiled past tense, defiles plural, defiles plural, defiles singular, defiles singular, defiles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Vandals _____ the ancient temple with spray paint.
Etymology
The verb comes from Middle English defilen, tangled up with an older word defoulen ("to trample, oppress"), itself from Old French defouler ("to trample, crush"). The noun sense (a narrow pass) comes separately from French défiler, "to march in file."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for defile
See all rhymes for defile →Frequently asked questions
What does “defile” mean?
The word “defile” means to make something dirty, corrupt, or impure, often something considered sacred or pure. In plain terms, to spoil or corrupt something pure — or, as a noun, a narrow passage soldiers must cross single file.
How do you pronounce “defile”?
“Defile” is pronounced dih-FYL (/dəˈfaɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “defile” in a sentence?
Here is “defile” used in a sentence: “Vandals defiled the ancient temple with spray paint.”
What part of speech is “defile”?
Depending on how it is used, “defile” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “defile” come from?
The word “defile” comes from Old French.
How many meanings does “defile” have?
“Defile” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something dirty, corrupt, or impure, often something considered sacred or pure.