adjective, vil·er, vil·est.
- wretchedly bad: a vile humor.
- highly offensive, unpleasant, or objectionable: vile slander.
- repulsive or disgusting, as to the senses or feelings: a vile odor.
- morally debased, depraved, or despicable: vile deeds.
- foul; filthy: vile language.
- poor; wretched: vile workmanship.
- of mean or low condition: a vile beggar.
- menial; lowly: vile tasks.
- degraded; ignominious: vile servitude.
- of little value or account; paltry: a vile recompense.
adjective
- abominably wicked; shameful or evilthe vile development of slavery appalled them
- morally despicable; ignoblevile accusations
- disgusting to the senses or emotions; foula vile smell; vile epithets
- tending to humiliate or degradeonly slaves would perform such vile tasks
- unpleasant or badvile weather
- paltrya vile reward
early 13c. (implied in vilety), from Anglo-French and Old French vile, from Latin vilis “cheap, worthless, base, common,” of unknown origin. Related: Vilely.