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

Finally, the mint julep is a vile almost undrinkable beverage. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025

Along with receiving vulgar comments in person and people taking her picture on campus, the 18-year-old has received vile and sexist messages after her phone number was posted online. —David Chiu, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025

What Toner is alleged to have done was deliberate and vile, and because young Asian females were targeted, some are even calling it a hate crime. —Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2025

Twain’s early writing and private letters and diaries contain vile language and sentiments. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for vile

• aisle
• bile
• chyle
• file
• guile
• heil
• isle
• kyle
• mile
• pile
• rile
• smile

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