noun
Uncommon
vial
VEYE-uhl
Vial (noun) means a small glass or plastic container, often tube-shaped, used to hold liquids such as medicine or perfume. Example: “The nurse drew the vaccine from a small glass vial.”
noun
1
A small glass or plastic container, often tube-shaped, used to hold liquids such as medicine or perfume.
"The nurse drew the vaccine from a small glass vial."
"She kept a vial of perfume in her handbag."
How to use vial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small bottle, usually for liquid medicine or similar substances.
Common pairings
a vial of blood
vial of medicine
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Word forms
- Plural
- vials
- Third person singular
- vials
- Past tense
- vialed, vialled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The nurse drew the vaccine from a small glass _____.
Etymology
From Middle English vial, a variant of "phial" — both trace back to the same Greek-derived word for a small flask.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for vial
See all rhymes for vial →Frequently asked questions
What does “vial” mean?
The word “vial” means a small glass or plastic container, often tube-shaped, used to hold liquids such as medicine or perfume. In plain terms, a small bottle, usually for liquid medicine or similar substances.
How do you pronounce “vial”?
“Vial” is pronounced VEYE-uhl (/ˈvaɪəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “vial” in a sentence?
Here is “vial” used in a sentence: “The nurse drew the vaccine from a small glass vial.”
What is the opposite of “vial”?
The opposite of “vial” — its antonyms — are ampoule and vacutainer.
What part of speech is “vial”?
“Vial” is a noun.
Where does the word “vial” come from?
The word “vial” comes from Middle English. From Middle English vial, a variant of "phial" — both trace back to the same Greek-derived word for a small flask.
Is “vial” a common word?
“Vial” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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