a folder, cabinet, or other container in which papers, letters, etc., are arranged in convenient order for storage or reference.
a collection of papers, records, etc., arranged in convenient order.
to make a file for a new account.
Computers. a collection of related data or program records stored on some input/output or auxiliary storage medium.
This program's main purpose is to update the customer master file.
a line of persons or things arranged one behind another (distinguished from rank).
Military.
a person in front of or behind another in a military formation.
one step on a promotion list.
one of the vertical lines of squares on a chessboard.
a list or roll.
a string or wire on which papers are strung for preservation and reference.
to place in a file.
to arrange (papers, records, etc.) in convenient order for storage or reference.
Journalism.
to arrange (copy) in the proper order for transmittal by wire.
to transmit (copy), as by wire or telephone.
He filed copy from Madrid all through the war.
to march in a file or line, one after another, as soldiers.
The parade filed past endlessly.
to make application.
to file for a civil-service job.
a long, narrow tool of steel or other metal having a series of ridges or points on its surfaces for reducing or smoothing surfaces of metal, wood, etc.
a small, similar tool for trimming and cleaning fingernails; nail file.
British Slang. a cunning, shrewd, or artful person.
a hand tool consisting essentially of a steel blade with small cutting teeth on some or all of its faces. It is used for shaping or smoothing metal, wood, etc
rare a cunning or deceitful person
a folder, box, etc, used to keep documents or other items in order
the documents, etc, kept in this way
documents or information about a specific subject, person, etc
we have a file on every known thief
an orderly line or row
a line of people in marching formation, one behind another Compare rank 1
any of the eight vertical rows of squares on a chessboard
computing a named collection of information, in the form of text, programs, graphics, etc, held on a permanent storage device such as a magnetic disk
obsolete a list or catalogue
a group of problems or responsibilities, esp in government, associated with a particular topic
the environment file
recorded or catalogued for reference, as in a file
to place (a document, letter, etc) in a file
(tr) to put on record, esp to place (a legal document) on public or official record; register
(tr) to bring (a suit, esp a divorce suit) in a court of law
(tr) to submit (copy) to a newspaper or news agency
(intr) to march or walk in a file or files
the ants filed down the hill
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English verb filen, from Middle French filer “to string documents on a thread or wire,” Old French: “to wind or spin thread,” from Vulgar Latin fīlāre “to wind or spin thread,” from the Latin noun fīlum “a string, thread”; the English noun is derived from the verb
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English fīl, fēol; cognate with German Feile; akin to Slavic (Polish) piła “saw”
First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English fȳlan “to befoul, defile,” derivative of fūl foul
1800–10, < Louisiana French; literally, twisted, ropy, stringy (perhaps originally applied to dishes thickened with the powder), past participle of French filer; see file 1
To file is to submit an application or a record to some official authority, like a court, police station, or city hall. You might file a complaint against your neighbor after he shovels the snow from his driveway into yours. People file for divorce, file for bankruptcy, and file charges against criminals. You can also file a receipt or a record at home, by putting it in a file folder and then sliding the folder into a file cabinet. When you stand "single file," you're in a line or queue, and if the group moves a few steps, you can say it files forward.
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!
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!
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!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Anti-corruption detectives started working on Greer, and obtained his mobile phone number, which had previously not been held on his personnel file.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Providers are winning huge payouts for ineligible claims, which encourages them to file more claims seeking bigger payments.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
The memorandum instructs banks to file suspicious activity reports with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the U.S. government’s financial intelligence unit.
From Salon ● Jul. 23, 2026
“The district attorney’s office has an ethical obligation to file only those charges that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt based on the available evidence,” the news release read.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026
The al-mirajes followed in a long line, single file, the tip of one al-miraj’s horn just touching the white tail of the one in front.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
His sliver of a restaurant in TriBeCa is named for filé powder, the ground sassafras thickener often used for making gumbo.
From New York Times ● May 24, 2022
Bailey's recipe calls for brandy and gumbo filé, which infuse the dish with a singular flavor.
From Salon ● Apr. 12, 2021
She describes what should be in your “Cajun larder,” defining filé powder and cane vinegar for the uninitiated.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 9, 2020
Dressed in baggy jeans and a sweatshirt, Guy was hunched over the gumbo, adding just the right measure of hot sauce and, at the end, Tony Chachere’s Famous Creole Cuisine gumbo filé.
From The New Yorker ● Mar. 4, 2019
Remove the vessel from the fire, and before pouring into the tureen, sprinkle in two tablespoonfuls of filé.
From Favorite Dishes : a Columbian Autograph Souvenir Cookery Book by Shuman, Carrie V.
The same year, Amy filed a petition for a compulsory accounting of her father’s estate.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
Novo Nordisk said Friday that since it filed the lawsuit, Lilly hasn’t removed the advertisements, which it described as “confusing and deceiving.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
But the union accused the firm of covering up evidence and filed a criminal complaint.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
The Times has filed a public records request for all messages that Robb received or sent to the mayor or her press office between June 1 and July 10, including WhatsApp messages.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Agents were now expected to standardize the way they filed their case reports, on single sheets of paper.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
A government filing this week revealed 198 employees will be laid off when the restaurant closes on Sept. 15.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
Candidate filing opened this week for the Republican primary to replace deceased Sen. Lindsey Graham on November’s ballot.
From Slate ● Jul. 25, 2026
Haynes’ campaign said the candidate was working on the filing and expected it to be completed within a week.
From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026
Paramount agreed to delay the deal through June 2027, the company said in a court filing on Friday.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
He floated toward a big open room with rows and rows of filing cabinets as the Witchlings followed behind.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
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.
