bile

UK: /ˈbəɪl/ US: /baɪl/ ,(bīl)

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

bile /baɪl/   n. [uncountable]

1. Physiology a bitter yellow or greenish liquid produced by the liver, that aids in digestion of fats.
2. Physiology bad temper;
   peevishness.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bile  (bīl), n. 

1. Physiology a bitter, alkaline, yellow or greenish liquid, secreted by the liver, that aids in absorption and digestion, esp. of fats.
2. Physiology ill temper;
   peevishness.
3. [Old Physiol.] either of two humors associated with anger and gloominess. Cf. black bile, yellow bile.

• Latin bīlis
• French
• 1655–65

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bile / baɪl/ noun

1. a bitter greenish to golden brown alkaline fluid secreted by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. It is discharged during digestion into the duodenum, where it aids the emulsification and absorption of fats
2. irritability or peevishness

Etymology: 17th Century: from French, from Latin bīlis, probably of Celtic origin; compare Welsh bustl bile

bile / bəɪl/ verb

1. a Scots word for boil1