vile

[ vahyl ]

adjective

, vil·er, vil·est.

1. wretchedly bad:

   a vile humor.

   Antonyms: good

2. highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable:

   vile slander.

3. repulsive or disgusting, as to the senses or feelings:

   a vile odor.

   Synonyms: repellent

4. morally debased, depraved, or despicable:

   vile deeds.

   Synonyms: iniquitous, evil, vicious

   Antonyms: elevated

5. foul; filthy:

   vile language.

   Synonyms: obscene, vulgar

6. poor; wretched:

   vile workmanship.

7. of mean or low condition:

   a vile beggar.

8. menial; lowly:

   vile tasks.

9. degraded; ignominious:

   vile servitude.

   Synonyms: contemptible

10. of little value or account; paltry:

    a vile recompense.

    Synonyms: trifling, trivial, contemptible

vile

/ vaɪl /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• ˈvilely, adverb
• ˈvileness, noun

Other Words From

• vilely adverb
• vileness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vile¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English vil, from Old French, from Latin vīlis “of little worth, base, cheap”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vile¹

C13: from Old French vil, from Latin vīlis cheap

Synonym Study

See mean ².

Example Sentences

His persistent vile, aimed at movements for racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights and accountability in policing worked.

From Salon

“If you are in a big arts organisation or theatre and you have a visiting star who is being vile to young people, is anyone going to stop them?” she says.

From BBC

The judge said the "vile, threatening and abusive" harassment of a former partner in 2022 on its own merited a custodial sentence.

From BBC

De León was an active participant in the vile conversation that touched off the scandal.

From Los Angeles Times

I know Leo is still too young to understand these words, but the fact that Darius would spew such vile language at a baby is very concerning to me.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appalling
• contemptible
• depraved
• despicable
• disgraceful
• disgusting
• horrid
• humiliating
• immoral
• miserable
• nasty
• noxious
• repugnant
• repulsive
• revolting
• shocking
• sleazy
• ugly
• vicious
• vulgar