/ vaɪl; NAmE / adjective ( viler , vil·est )
1.
( informal ) extremely unpleasant or bad
SYN disgusting :
a vile smell
The weather was really vile most of the time.
He was in a vile mood.
➡ note at terrible
2.
( formal ) morally bad; completely unacceptable
SYN wicked :
the vile practice of taking hostages
► vile·ly / ˈvaɪlli; NAmE / adverb
► vile·ness noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : via Old French from Latin vilis of low value.