vile

vile

adj \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

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Rhymes with VILE

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