First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
vile
adjective \ˈvī(-ə)l\
: evil or immoral
: very bad or unpleasant
vil·er \ˈvī-lər\ vil·est \-ləst\
Full Definition of VILE
1
a : morally despicable or abhorrent <nothing is so vile as intellectual dishonesty> b : physically repulsive : foul <a vile slum>
3
: tending to degrade <vile employments>
4
: disgustingly or utterly bad : obnoxious, contemptible <vile weather> <had a vile temper>
— vile·ly \ˈvī(-ə)l-lē\ adverb
— vile·ness noun
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Origin of VILE
Middle English, from Anglo-French vil, from Latin vilis
Related to VILE
Synonym Discussion of VILE
base, low, vile mean deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values. base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness <base motives>. low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety <refused to listen to such low talk>. vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth <a vile remark>.
VILELY Defined for Kids
vile
adjective \ˈvīl\
vil·ervil·est
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