Word of the Day

: April 16, 2007

vilify

verb VIL-uh-fye

What It Means

1 : to lower in estimation or importance

2 : to utter slanderous and abusive statements against : defame

vilify in Context

Janet's angry letter chastised members of the media for attempting to vilify her brother, the disgraced ex-councilman.

Did You Know?

"Vilify" came to English by way of the Middle English "vilifien" and the Late Latin "vilificare" from the Latin adjective "vilis," meaning "cheap" or "vile." It first appeared in English in the 15th century. Also debuting during that time was another verb that derives from "vilis" and has a similar meaning: "vilipend." When they were first used in English, both "vilify" and "vilipend" meant to regard someone or something as being of little worth or importance. "Vilipend" now carries an additional meaning of "to express a low opinion of somebody," while "vilify" means, more specifically, to express such an opinion publicly in a way that intends to embarrass a person or ruin his or her reputation.

*Indicates the sense illustrated by the example sentence.