vile

UK: /ˈvaɪl/ US: /vaɪl/ ,(vīl)

Inflections of 'vile' (adj):

viler

adj comparative

vilest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

vile /vaɪl/   adj., vil•er, vil•est. 

1. very bad;
   uncomfortably bad:
   vile weather.
2. highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable:
   a vile odor; vile language.
3. very evil;
   morally depraved or despicable:
   vile acts of murder.

vile•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

vile (vīl),  adj., vil•er, vil•est. 

1. wretchedly bad:
   a vile humor.
2. highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable:
   vile slander.
3. repulsive or disgusting, as to the senses or feelings:
   a vile odor.
4. morally debased, depraved, or despicable:
   vile deeds.
5. foul;
   filthy:
   vile language.
6. poor;
   wretched:
   vile workmanship.
7. of mean or low condition:
   a vile beggar.
8. menial;
   lowly:
   vile tasks.
9. degraded;
   ignominious:
   vile servitude.
10. of little value or account;
    paltry:
    a vile recompense.

• Latin vīlis of little worth, base, cheap
• Old French
• Middle English vil 1250–1300

vile′ly, adv. 
vile′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See mean ².
• 3. repellent.
• 4. vicious, evil, iniquitous.
• 5. vulgar, obscene.
• 9, 10. contemptible.
• 10. trivial, trifling.

Antonyms

• 1. good.
• 4. elevated.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

vile / vaɪl/ adjective

1. abominably wicked; shameful or evil
2. morally despicable; ignoble: vile accusations
3. disgusting to the senses or emotions; foul: a vile smell, vile epithets
4. tending to humiliate or degrade: only slaves would perform such vile tasks
5. unpleasant or bad: vile weather

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French vil, from Latin vīlis cheap

ˈvilely adverb

ˈvileness noun