adj
Uncommon
vile
vyl
Vile (adj) means Morally disgusting or contemptible. Example: “It was a vile thing to say about a grieving family.”
adj
1
Morally disgusting or contemptible.
"It was a vile thing to say about a grieving family."
"History remembers him for his vile treatment of prisoners."
"Spreading lies about a colleague to get her fired was a vile thing to do."
2
Extremely unpleasant to the senses; disgusting.
"The medicine had a vile, bitter taste."
"A vile smell drifted from the bin that had been left out all summer."
"The soup tasted vile, so he pushed the bowl away untouched."
How to use vile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDisgusting — either morally repulsive or just horrible to taste, smell, or experience.
Common pairings
vile smell
vile temper
vile behaviour
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Word forms
- Comparative
- viler, more vile
- Superlative
- vilest, most vile
Fill the gap
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It was a _____ thing to say about a grieving family.
Etymology
From Old French vil, from Latin vilis, originally meaning "cheap" or "of low value" before it took on the sense of moral worthlessness.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for vile
See all rhymes for vile →Frequently asked questions
What does “vile” mean?
The word “vile” means morally disgusting or contemptible. In plain terms, disgusting — either morally repulsive or just horrible to taste, smell, or experience.
How do you pronounce “vile”?
“Vile” is pronounced vyl (/vaɪ(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “vile” in a sentence?
Here is “vile” used in a sentence: “It was a vile thing to say about a grieving family.”
What part of speech is “vile”?
“Vile” is an adjective.
Where does the word “vile” come from?
The word “vile” comes from Latin. From Old French vil, from Latin vilis, originally meaning "cheap" or "of low value" before it took on the sense of moral worthlessness.
Is “vile” a common word?
“Vile” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “vile” have?
“Vile” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: morally disgusting or contemptible.
What is the difference between vile and evil?
Vile describes something morally disgusting or contemptible, or something extremely unpleasant to the senses, while evil more specifically refers to profound moral wrongness or wickedness. Vile can cover both moral repugnance and physical unpleasantness, such as a vile smell, whereas evil is used almost exclusively for moral wrongdoing.
Can vile describe things that aren't moral failings?
Yes, vile can also describe something extremely unpleasant to the senses, such as a vile smell or a vile taste, separate from its use for morally disgusting behavior.
What is an example of vile used to describe behavior?
Vile is often used to describe behavior or actions that are morally disgusting or contemptible, such as vile insults or a vile betrayal.
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