vile

adjective

ˈvī(-ə)l 

viler ˈvī-lər  ; vilest ˈvī-ləst 

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

vilely

ˈvī(-ə)l-lē 

adverb

vileness noun

Synonyms

• bad
• dark
• evil
• immoral
• iniquitous
• nefarious
• rotten
• sinful
• unethical
• unlawful
• unrighteous
• unsavory
• vicious
• villainous
• wicked
• wrong

Choose the Right Synonym for vile

base, low, vile mean deserving of contempt because of the absence of higher values.

base stresses the ignoble and may suggest cruelty, treachery, greed, or grossness.

base motives

low may connote crafty cunning, vulgarity, or immorality and regularly implies an outraging of one's sense of decency or propriety.

refused to listen to such low talk

vile, the strongest of these words, tends to suggest disgusting depravity or filth.

a vile remark

Examples of vile in a Sentence

a vile and cowardly act

What is that vile odor?

His comments were positively vile.

She has a vile temper.

Recent Examples on the Web

David Tennant is spectacular as always as the rather vile, vengeful Tony Baddingham, a ruthless TV executive with axes to grind. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025

His vile ways are what made season 6, episode 9's incredible Battle of the Bastards resonate. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025

That medicine came with a vile aftertaste, too, but was necessary. —Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024

That same vile carrying Mike’s ashes was the one found at the Yulee thrift store. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French vil, from Latin vilis

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

vile

adjective

ˈvī(ə)l 

viler ˈvī-lər  ; vilest -ləst 

1

a

: morally bad

vile deeds

b

: physically ugly

vile living quarters

2

: of little worth

3

: very or completely bad

a vile temper

vile weather

vilely

ˈvī(ə)l-lē 

adverb

vileness noun