Miles

UK: /maɪlz/ US: (mīlz)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

Miles  (mīlz), n. 

1. Biographical Nelson Appleton, 1839–1925, U.S. army officer.
2. a male given name: from a Germanic word meaning "merciful.''

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Miles / maɪlz/ noun

1. Bernard, Baron Miles of Blackfriars. 1907–91, British actor and theatre manager. He founded the Mermaid Theatre in London, and was known as a character actor

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

mile /maɪl/   n. [countable]

1. Weights and Measures a unit of distance on land in English-speaking countries equal to 5280 feet, or 1760 yards (1.609 kilometers). Abbr.: mi,mi.
2. Weights and Measures nautical mile.
3. Weights and Measures any of various other units of distance used at different times in different countries:
   A Swedish mile equals ten English miles.
4. a substantial distance:
   She missed it by a mile.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

mile  (mīl), n. 

1. Weights and Measures Also called statute mile. a unit of distance on land in English-speaking countries equal to 5280 feet, or 1760 yards (1.609 kilometers).
2. Weights and Measures See nautical mile. 
3. Weights and Measures See international nautical mile. 
4. Weights and Measures any of various other units of distance or length at different periods and in different countries. Cf. Roman mile. 
5. a notable distance or margin:
   missed the target by a mile. Abbr.:
   mi, mi.

• Latin mīlia (passuum) a thousand (paces)
• bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English mīl

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

mile / maɪl/ noun

1. Also called: statute mile a unit of length used in the UK, the US, and certain other countries, equal to 1760 yards. 1 mile is equivalent to 1.609 34 kilometres
2. See nautical mile
3. (often plural) a great distance; great deal: he missed by a mile
4. a race extending over a mile

adverb

1. miles ⇒ (intensifier): she likes her new job miles better

Etymology: Old English mīl, from Latin mīlia (passuum) a thousand (paces)