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

   vile epithets

   a vile smell

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

• ˈvileness, noun
• ˈvilely, adverb

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

He tried to explain to me the causes of many actions, justifying the vile and ruthless behavior of some.

From Washington Blade

It would not show the swirl of red-carpet events for “The Last Jedi” she posted on social media, or the vile online abuse that followed.

From Washington Post

“Spitting blood is a vile, dangerous assault that Kevin was exposed to twice before dropping his body weight down on Arnaldo Pesoa to stop the threat,” Leigh said at trial.

From Washington Post

One where each and every day, she could face hateful, vile attacks—verbal and physical—for simply existing.

From Time

That way people can see that they are not just arguing about how vile any given politician is.

From Time

Her first celebrity beef began when Snoop Dogg started Instagramming some pretty vile things about her, seemingly unprovoked.

From The Daily Beast

The sex workers I spoke with rightly call it “vile,” “gross,” “terrifying,” and “exploitative.”

From The Daily Beast

They are now in essence a sisterhood joined together by a vile incident.

From The Daily Beast

And Daniel Webster, a great opponent of slavery, supported the vile Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave Act and all.

From The Daily Beast

In the case of these vile perpetrators, it is probably all of the above.

From The Daily Beast

It is a vile world because it is an under-educated world, unreasonable, suspicious, base and ferocious.

From Project Gutenberg

While he grieved over the loss of our little one, you conceived a vile plot to 'get even,' Oh, you—liar!

From Project Gutenberg

Let no opportunity be missed of exposing the true character of the vile and selfish agitators of the Anti-corn-law league.

From Project Gutenberg

But she was his mother, and even her harsh nature shuddered before the task of instructing him in this vile thing.

From Project Gutenberg

And having not the use of feet they are carried upon shoulders, declaring to men how vile they are.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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