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

Just don’t use the public restrooms, ignore the detention facilities and be thankful Trump is ending the vile practice of eating cats and dogs.

From Salon

"We must do more to bring the vile perpetrators who carry out this cowardly act, usually against young women and often to commit a sexual offence, to justice," the prime minister added.

From BBC

Often the most vile abuse comes in the replies to lengthy threads, where discourse seems to get out of hand.

From BBC

The UK government, having pledged to freeze the bank accounts of smugglers, said it would "stop at nothing to dismantle vile people smuggling gangs".

From BBC

Trump’s incoming communication staff has a reputation for saying anything that favors the boss – which means a lot of feckless, fact-less, vile sputum parading as facts.

From Salon

Related Words

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