English · Word Candidate

vile

/vaɪ(ə)l/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: viler · vilest

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Morally low; base; despicable.

Adjective

Examples

vile accusation

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Causing physical or mental repulsion; horrid.

Adjective

Examples

I glimpsed a vile squid-like creature in the depths.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

That which is vile; vileness.

Noun

Examples

“I had seen those two work before—in the smoking-room the day prior to their attack on you, if I recollect it correctly, and so, knowing their methods, I am convinced that their enmity is a sufficient guarantee of the integrity of its object. Men such as they must cleave only to the vile, hating all

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “vile” mean?

Morally low; base; despicable.

Is “vile” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.