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

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

“These messages represent an alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric from racist groups across the country, who now feel emboldened to spread hate and stoke the flames of fear that many of us are feeling after Tuesday's election results,” Johnson said.

From BBC

He added: "We need to go further and faster, alongside our international partners, and take the fight directly to the heart of these vile people smuggling networks."

From BBC

Stewart reacted to a supercut of cable news personalities expressing outrage, including one describing Hinchcliffe’s material as “extremely vile, so-called jokes,” by turning that outrage into a bit: “’Extremely vile so-called jokes’?

From Salon

Related Words

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