vial
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
idioms
noun
Etymology
Origin of vial
1300–50; Middle English viole, variant of fiole phial
Explanation
The word vial sounds like another word, "vile" (making them homonyms), but they mean completely different things. A vial is just a small glass bottle that contains a chemical or drug. "Vile" is evil. One of the coolest things about the English language is how specific you can get. For example, got a small glass bottle made for carrying chemicals or drugs? There's a word for that! That word is vial. There are bottles for soda and bottles for beer, but if what you're carrying is drugs, chemicals, or similar substances, you're carrying them in a vial.
Vocabulary lists containing vial
"Of Mice and Men"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Bless Me, Ultima
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Vial and Burns had been in a brief relationship in the time leading up to the killing of Mr Wilkin.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2025
Francisco Cox Vial, another member of the UN’s fact-finding mission, said Ms Rodríguez was a member of Mr Maduro’s ruling party and had held elected positions within it.
From BBC • Aug. 22, 2024
“It’s kind of depressing when you walk on Wisconsin Avenue to see all those stores that are closed,” said Catherine Vial, another Friendship Heights resident.
From Washington Post • Mar. 9, 2022
Vial resigned his position as deputy secretary of state in January and says instead of being a presumed leading contender for the Republican nomination, he will run as a non-affiliated candidate.
From Washington Times • Apr. 9, 2020
Had your Master any of that Water which was put into the said Vial given to him?
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
