vile

vile

adjective \ˈvī(-ə)l\

vil·er \ˈvī-lər\ vil·est \-ləst\

Definition of VILE

1

a : morally despicable or abhorrent <nothing is so vile as intellectual dishonesty>

b : physically repulsive : foul <a vile slum>

2

: of little worth or account : common; also : mean

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

Examples of VILE

1. a vile and cowardly act
2. What is that vile odor?
3. His comments were positively vile.
4. She has a vile temper.

Origin of VILE

Middle English, from Anglo-French vil, from Latin vilis

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VILE

Synonyms

black, dark, evil, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, rotten, sinful, unethical, unlawful, unrighteous, unsavory, vicious, bad, villainous, wicked, wrong

Antonyms

decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just, moral, right, righteous, sublime, upright, virtuous

Related Words

base, contemptible, despicable, dirty, disreputable, evil-minded, ignoble, ill, infernal, low, mean, snide, sordid; atrocious, cruel, infamous, nasty; blamable, blameworthy, censurable, objectionable, obscene, offensive, reprehensible; corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, loose, low-minded, perverted, reprobate, scrofulous, sick, unhealthy; cursed (also curst), cussed, defiling, noxious, pernicious, pestilential, ugly, ungodly, unwholesome; banned, barred, condemned, discouraged, forbidden, illegal, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, unauthorized, unclean; disallowed; execrable, lousy, miserable, wretched; errant, erring, fallen, unprincipled, unscrupulous; improper, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, vulgar; dishonest, dishonorable

Near Antonyms

elevated, high, high-minded, law-abiding, legitimate, lofty, noble, principled, reputable, scrupulous; allowed, authorized, legal, licensed, permissible, permitted; approved, endorsed (also indorsed), sanctioned; abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported; clean, correct, decent, decorous, exemplary, proper, seemly; blameless, commendable, creditable, guiltless, legitimate; chaste, immaculate, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, lily-white, perfect, pure, spotless, squeaky-clean, uncorrupted, unerring, unfallen, unobjectionable, venerable, white, wholesome; esteemed, respected, upstanding, worthy

See Synonym Discussion at base

Rhymes with VILE

dial, file, isle, pile, smile, spile, stile, style, tile, trial, while, wile