vileadj.adv.n.
/vʌɪl/, U.S. /vaɪl/ A. adj.
1.
a. Of actions, conduct, character, etc.: Despicable on moral grounds; deserving to be regarded with abhorrence or disgust; characterized by baseness or depravity.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > villainy > [adjective]
vilec1290
villain1340
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [adjective] > base or vile > specifically of actions, conduct, etc.
vilec1290
villains1303
villain1340
base?1518
vild1568
slavish1597
grovelling1608
unworthy1694
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [adjective] > contemptible
unworthc893
unwrastc893
littleOE
narrow-hearteda1200
wretcha1200
unworthya1240
wretchedc1250
un-i-wrastc1275
bad1276
lechera1300
feeblea1325
despisablea1340
villain1340
contemptiblec1384
lousyc1386
caitiff1393
brothelyc1400
roinousa1425
poor1425
sevenpennyc1475
nasty1477
peakish1519
filthy1533
despectuous1541
beggary1542
scald1542
shitten?1545
disdainfula1547
contemptuous1549
despicable1553
skit-brained?1553
contemniblea1555
vile1560
sluttish1561
queer1567
scornful1570
scallardc1575
tinkerly?1576
worthless1576
beggarly?1577
paltry1578
halfpenny1579
dog bolt1580
pitiful1582
sneaking1582
triobolar1585
wormisha1586
baddy1586
dudgeon1592
measled1596
packstaff1598
roguey1598
roguish1601
contemptful1608
grovelling1608
lightly1608
disdainable1611
purulent1611
snotty-nose1622
vilipendious1630
cittern-headed1638
wormy1640
pissabed1643
triobolary1644
disparageable1648
blue-bellied1652
unestimable1656
scullion1658
piteous1667
dirty1670
shabbed1674
shabby1679
snotty1681
snotty-nosed1682
mucky1683
bollocky1694
scoundrel1700
scaldeda1704
sneaking1703
ficulnean1716
unsolid1731
pitiable1753
scrubby1754
inimitable1798
scrubbish1798
worm-likea1807
small1824
lowlife1827
ketty1828
skunkish1831
yellow-bellied1833
scaly1843
cockroachya1845
wutless1853
nigger1859
trashy1862
low-down1872
cruddy1877
shitty1879
tinhorn1886
blithering1889
motherfucking1890
snidey1890
pilgarlicky1894
shitass1895
shoddy1918
yah boo1921
bitching1929
shit-faced1932
turdish1936
fricking1937
jerk-off1937
chickenshit1940
sheg-up1941
snot-nosed1941
jerky1944
mother-loving1948
scroungy1948
fecking1952
pissant1952
shit-kicking1953
shit-eating1956
bumboclaat1957
rassclaat1957
shit-headed1959
farkakte1960
shithouse1966
daggy1967
dipshit1968
scuzzy1969
bloodclaat1971
bitch ass1972
wanky1972
streelish1974
twatty1975
twattish1976
dweeby1988
douchey1991
wank1991
cockish1996
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 192/4 Þare ne scholde vil dede ne word neuere fram hire wende.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 4504 Modred..huld hire in spousbruche, in vyl flesses dede.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 10003 He suor he wolde awreke be of þis vil trespas.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 1586 Here wurdys were al vyle & waste.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 79 So vengeaunce fel vpon hem, for her vyle synnes.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xxi. 97 Thenne gan faith foully þe false Iewes to despisen, And calde hem ‘caytifs a-corsed’, for þis was a vil vilanye.
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 34 Summe thinges that ye loue & preyse, ar euil and vyle.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 226 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 102 The sparrowe wenus he wesit for his vyle deidis Lyand in lichory laith vnloveable.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. lxv These wycked theues..cloke al this abomination..with the couer of Christianitie, which is the vylest and moste vnworthiest thing, that can be imagined.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David (1823) v. iv Let their vile thoughts the thinckers ruine be.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 49 It is also the vilest Affection, and the most depraued.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xviii. 89 Not onely an act of an unjust, but also of a vile, and unmanly disposition.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 376 If aught seem vile, As vile hath been my folly, who have profan'd The mystery of God. View more context for this quotation
1727 D. Defoe Ess. Hist. Apparitions iii. 22 Turning the whole frame of Nature upside down by his vile Doings there.
1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 761 Within some pious pastor's humble cot, Where vile example..May never more be stamp'd upon his breast. View more context for this quotation
1838 E. Bulwer-Lytton Alice I. ii. vi. 193 I see already, that from the world, vile as it is, you have nothing of contagion to fear.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxxiii. 290 That abandoned wretch,..of whose vile arts he became a victim.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 555 The Earl's past life had been stained by what they regarded as the vilest apostasy.
b. Used to qualify nouns denoting faults of mind or character. rare.
ΚΠ
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter ix. 1 A vile errour it is þat sum men says that god does vnrightwisly.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xv. 1 Here is þe vile pride of men confoundid.
1567 R. Sempill Test. & Trag. King Henrie (single sheet) Quhat sall I wryte of ȝoure wyle vanitie?
c. Of names, etc.: Implying (moral) baseness or depravity.
ΚΠ
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccclxxxiij This greued them moste, yt their religion was described by so vile & contemptuouse a name.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. ii. 113 Where is Demetrius? Oh how fit a word Is that vile name, to perish on my sworde! View more context for this quotation
1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins Voy. to South-seas Pref. p. xvi The Gentleman..represented us to the English Merchants in a very vile Light.
1846 A. Young in J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4) II. p. xxiv I am disgusted with such vile assertions.
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1877) II. vii. 104 This was the vilest epithet in the English language.
2. absolute.1817 T. Moore Lalla Rookh ii. 278 Bondage grows Too vile for ev'n the vile to bear!
a. Of persons: Of a low, base, or despicable character; morally depraved or degraded; capable of the basest conduct.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > baseness > [adjective]
theowlikec1175
wickc1175
wretcha1200
lechera1300
vilea1300
feeblea1325
brothely1330
caitiffa1400
roinousa1425
basec1450
harlotry1486
filthy1533
brockish1546
vild1568
tinkerly?1576
scabbed?1577
miscreant1593
unnoble1593
slavish1597
rascally1600
roguish1601
sordidous1602
facinoriousa1616
scullion1658
dirty1670
shabbed1674
shabby1679
scoundrel1681
scabby1712
verminating1720
small1824
low-down1865
verminiferous1895
ragtime1917
ribby1936
raunchy1937
scungy1966
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > baseness > base person > [adjective]
vilea1300
unnoblea1382
noughty1443
villain1509
vild1567
scalded1568
brokerly1592
broking1592
poor-spirited1611
scald1742
basilar1884
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [adjective] > base or vile
low?c1225
lechera1300
vilea1300
feeblea1325
unfreec1330
villain1340
wrackc1375
villains1390
noughty1443
slovenly?1518
peasant1550
sluttish1561
vild1567
knaifatic1568
scallardc1575
base1576
tinkerly?1576
beggarly?1577
cullion-like1591
brokerly1592
broking1592
ignoble1592
cullionly1608
disnoble1609
unsolid1731
lowly1740
blackguard1751
blackguardly1779
menial1837
low-flung1841
caddish1868
basilar1884
bounding1904
bounderish1928
a1300 Cursor Mundi 1153 Wit all þou sal bi halden vile, Quarsa þou wendes in exile.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 2597 Ȝyf an okerer myȝt founde be, Þey helde hym vyler þan a Iew.
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 8738 (Kölbing) Leggeþ on þe traitours vile, Spareþ nouȝt, ac sle doun riȝt.
a1400–50 Alexander 186 Þan sall þat victoure ȝow venge on ȝour vile fais.
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. ii. 731 Repruffand thaim as sottis wille..For to lieff it fayntly, And leif lownderaris caytefly.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 264 In cumpany cheis honorable feiris, And fra vyle folkis draw the far on syd.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xv. 16 An abhominable and vyle man, which dryncketh wickednesse like water.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxxxvijv, (margin) Freers vile in lyfe and learnyng.
1603 tr. Batchelars Banquet i. sig. A3 I pray thee wife tell me, where lies thy griefe?..wherevpon the vile woman fetching a deepe sigh, makes this answere.
1677 Earl of Essex in C. E. Pike Essex Papers (1913) II. 133 There is a vile woman who has bin guilty of severall wicked practices here.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 433 I was against the making use of so vile a man.
a1721 M. Prior Turtle & Sparrow (1723) 429 Notions like these, from Men are giv'n, Those vilest Creatures under Heav'n.
1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. iii, in Poems 117 A Victim to the Snare, That vile Attorneys, for the Weak prepare.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 591 In every age the vilest specimens of human nature are to be found among demagogues.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Silverado Squatters ii. ii. 78 With that vile lad to head them off..they would have..stumbled through the woods.
b. Applied to animals, esp. of a destructive or dangerous nature.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by nature > [adjective] > noxious or pestilential
vilea1525
prejudicial1602
verminly1653
vermineous1693
pestilential1697
pestiferous1731
vermine1839
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xxi. 158 Of alle fretynge venymes þe vilest is þe scorpion.
a1400 Sir Beues (A.) 2624 Þar-fore hii deide in dedli sinne... After in a lite while Þai be-come dragouns vile.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xii. l. 287 Lordis, behald, Inwy the wyle dragoun, In cruell fyr he byrnys this regioun.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 88 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 97 The howlet wylest in wyce Raikit vnder ye rys.
3.
a. Physically repulsive, esp. through filth or corruption; horrid, disgusting.Also depreciatingly applied to the body.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > [adjective] > dirty and loathsome
vilea1300
lousyc1386
vild1568
squalid1591
nasky1611
clatty1632
tetrous1637
foede1657
pah1689
feculent1703
cruddy1877
crutting1925
ranchy1959
ucky1963
grody1965
the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > ugliness > [adjective] > vile
vilea1300
a1300 Sarmun iii, in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 1 To be-hend if we wold loke, wel file hit is þat of us come.
a1300 Sarmun iv, in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 1 Hit is wel vile þat commiþ vte.
13.. Seuen Sages (W.) 1353 Was nowt the boi of wit bereued, Whan he tok his fader heued, In a vil gonge slong hit inne?
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 610 Ilk man..Suld thynk of þe wrechednes of his kynde, Þat es foul, and vile, and wlatsom.
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. ii. 576 In þar bledderis bolnyt bilis And alkyn bruk and skab þat wile is.
c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 773 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 51 At his mastere askit he, quhar-for his birth [sc. a frog] wes sa wile, sa foule, and sa horribyle.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Phil. iii. 21 Which shal chaunge oure vyle body, yt it maye be like fashioned vnto his glorious body.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Cv The Image..is surely a thing most vyle to beholde, and no lesse terrible.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Wisd. xi. 13 They..worshiped serpents, that had not the vse of reason, & vile beastes.
16.. W. Mure Sonn. xi. 2 Name spotted, fame defyld,..Too long in such a carioun vyle inclois'd.
1669 Will of William Prynne in S. Gardiner Documents Proc. against W. Prynne (1877) 96 My vile body I bequeath to the dust.
c1738 Wesley's Hymns (1744) 129 Array'd in glorious Grace Shall these vile Bodies shine.
1746 W. Dunkin tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles ii. ii. 106 Hence runs a madding Dog..: Thence a vile Pig polluted with the Mire.
b. Of clothes, etc.: Mean, wretched.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > worse > [adjective] > of inferior quality or value or appearance
poorc1300
vile1526
mangya1529
fine1565
palterlya1637
scrubby1754
nice1798
shabby1805
waff-like1808
neat1824
chronic1861
tacky1862
shamblya1937
tatty1940
low-rent1966
scrungy1974
1526 Bible (Tyndale) James ii. 2 A man..in goodly apparell and..a poore man in vyle rayment.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccclxvv They put vpon him a most vile garment.
1591 E. Spenser Prosopopoia in Complaints 465 Farre vnfit it is, that person bace Should with vile cloaths approach Gods maiestie.
1783 G. Crabbe Village i. 18 Such is that room..Where the vile bands that bind the thatch are seen, And lath and mud is all that lie between.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci v. i. 82 I will pass, wrappt in a vile disguise; Rags on my back.
4. Of conditions, situations, treatment, etc.: Base or degrading in character or effect; ignominious. durance vile: see durance n. 5.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > degrading or debasement > [adjective]
vile1297
derogative1477
derogatory1502
vild1568
derogatoriousa1575
lessening1592
dishonoured1608
indignous1611
derogant1616
unmanning1625
infimatinga1641
prostituting1646
embasing1652
menial1673
degrading1684
debasing1775
vilifying1781
degradatory1783
dishonouring1843
relegating1872
demeaning1880
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 4374 Wanne hii wolde..noblemen, as ȝe beþ, bringe in so vil seruage.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 181 Huo þet him let ouercome be his ulesse, he is ine a wel zorȝuol þreldome and wel vil.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. i. 7 Thou has vs doyn a vyle dispyte And broght thiself to sorow and sitt.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 2140 Hit sittis vs all, For to proffer our persons & our pure goodes, To venge of our velany and our vile harme.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. lxxxiij Many thousandes of men..lead away in so myserable and vyle captiuitie.
1653 R. Saunders Physiognomie iii. 15 A Mole appearing on the lower part, or tip of the right Ear... To a Woman it predicts..she is desperately forlorn, and of most vile conditions.
1718 M. Prior Henry & Emma 616 Rescue my poor Remains from vile Neglect.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. ii. ii. 86 Such base-born Children..ought to be brought up to the lowest and vilest Offices of the Commonwealth. View more context for this quotation
1770 E. Burke Thoughts Present Discontents 19 This Royal servitude and vile durance.
1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 456 To work at a vile trade For wages so unlikely to be paid. View more context for this quotation
1791 J. Mackintosh Vindiciæ Gallicæ p. xiii The Comte d'Artois..is to issue from Turin with ten thousand cavaliers for the delivery of the peerless and immaculate Antonietta..from the durance vile in which she has so long been immured.
a1796 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) II. 771 A Workhouse!..In durance vile here must I wake and weep.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul II. ix. xli. 341 He had been a slave, in the vilest of all positions.
5. † c. Cheap, low (in price). Obsolete.
a. Of things: Of little worth or account; mean or paltry in respect of value; held in no esteem or regard. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > paltry, mean, or contemptible
unworthlyc1230
wretcha1250
seely1297
vilec1320
not worth a cress (kerse)1377
the value of a rushc1380
threadbarec1412
wretched1450
miserable?a1513
rascal1519
prettya1522
not worth a whistlea1529
pegrall1535
plack1539
pelting1540
scald1542
sleeveless1551
baggage1553
paltering1553
piddling1559
twopenny1560
paltry1565
rubbish1565
baggagely1573
pelfish1577
halfpenny1579
palting1579
baubling1581
three-halfpenny1581
pitiful1582
triobolar1585
squirting1589
not worth a lousea1592
hedge1596
cheap1597
peddling1597
dribbling1600
mean1600
rascally1600
three-farthingc1600
draughty1602
dilute1605
copper1609
peltry?a1610
threepenny1613
pelsy1631
pimping1640
triobolary1644
pigwidgeon1647
dustya1649
fiddling1652
puddlinga1653
insignificant1658
piteous1667
snotty1681
scrubbed1688
dishonourable1699
scrub1711
footy1720
fouty1722
rubbishing1731
chuck-farthing1748
rubbishy1753
shabby1753
scrubby1754
poxya1758
rubbishly1777
waff-like1808
trinkety1817
meanish1831
one-eyed1843
twiddling1844
measly1847
poking1850
picayunish1852
vild1853
picayune1856
snide1859
two-cent1859
rummagy1872
faddling1883
finicking1886
slushy1889
twopence halfpenny1890
jerk1893
pissy1922
crappy1928
two-bit1932
piddly1933
chickenshit1934
pissing1937
penny packet1943
farkakte1960
pony1964
gay1978
c1320 Cast. Love 1112 Woldestou þi finger ȝeue,..So vnworþ and so vyl chaffare to bugge?
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 82 Hi ne conne..deme..betuene precious an vil.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. Prol. 33 This world..That whilom was so magnefied, And now is old and fieble and vil.
1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 21132 A thyng of no valu, And..Most wyl off reputacioun.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Bvii The transitory honours of this worlde shulde apeyre to vs, vile & nought.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxxxiijv That doctryne began to waxe vyle to him euery day more & more.
1670 R. Graham Angliæ Speculum Morale 24 Who contemneth Religion as a vile thing? who never nameth God but in his Oaths or Burlesque?
a1677 I. Barrow Brief Expos. Creed (1697) 23 The vilest and commonest stones.
1678 R. Barclay Apol. True Christian Divinity v. §23. 171 That it may cut off Iniquity from him, and separate betwixt the Precious and the Vile.
1700 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother i. i. 261 All returns are vile, but Words the poorest.
1700 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother i. i. 424 Everlasting Fame Grows vile in sight of thee.
1785 W. Cowper Task v. 589 That low And sordid gravitation of his pow'rs To a vile clod.
1819 P. B. Shelley Rosalind & Helen 36 All that others seek He casts away, like a vile weed Which the sea casts unreturningly.
1867 W. Morris Life & Death of Jason vi. 115 And all the feasts that thou hast shared erewhile With other kings, to mine shall be but vile.
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz 75 Thou sea, wherein he counts Not one inch of vile dominion.
b. Similarly of persons (or animals).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > paltry, mean, or contemptible > of people
vile1340
light1529
sixpenny1561
single-soled1588
squirting1592
washya1631
insignificant1669
snotty-nosed1682
nerdy1960
nerkish1975
nerdish1980
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 132 Þe zoþe milde wyle by hyalde uor vyl, naȝt ase milde y-praysed.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. Prol. 112 To so vil a povere wrecche Him deigneth schewe such simplesce.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) vi. xiv Soche children for trespas be made vile pore seruauntes.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Lion & Mouse l. 1427 in Poems (1981) 57 Thow catiue wretche and vile vnworthie thing.
1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance iii. f. 5v His bondmen and most vyle seruantes.
1548 H. Latimer Notable Serm. sig. B.viii Appointe them Judges that are most abiect and vyle in the congregacion.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Oct. 37 Abandon then the base and viler clowne, Lyft vp thy selfe out of the lowly dust.
1653 W. Ramesey Astrologia Restaurata 245 They shall be indigent, poor and vile.
1674 Govt. Tongue iii. 20 Tis God only that hath power of annihilation, and we (vile worms) seek here to steal that incommunicable right.
1715 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad I. ii. 235 But if a clam'rous vile Plebeian rose, Him with Reproof he check'd, or tam'd with Blows.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > low price or rate > [adjective] > cheap
light?a1400
vile?1490
cheap1517
low-prized1600
druggish1701
popular1830
low-priced1842
underpriced1861
bargain basement1899
low-budget1918
Woolworth1931
Woolworthian1933
pipe-rack1956
budget1958
cheapo1967
pound shop1989
?1490 Rule St. Benet (Caxton) 134 To bye suche cloth that is made in that countre or prouynce, of the vilest and lyghtest pryce.
1551 R. Crowley Pleasure & Payne sig. Biiiv In euery place Ye made my bloude vylar then golde.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales vi. iv. 127 The value of landes was rated at a verie lowe and vile price.
1601 B. Jonson Every Man in his Humor i. i. sig. Bv For he thats so respectlesse in his course, Oft sels his reputation vile and cheape. View more context for this quotation
6.
a. Of poor or bad quality; wretchedly bad or inferior.Now frequently used as an intensive to express strong disapproval or disgust.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > [adjective]
evil971
lowc1175
poor?c1225
feeblec1275
vilea1300
petty1372
unthende1377
secondary1386
petitc1390
unmeeta1393
illa1400
commonc1400
coarse1424
indigent1426
unlikelyc1450
lesser1464
gross1474
naughty1526
inferior1531
reprobate?1545
slender1577
unlikely1578
puny1579
under1580
wooden1592
sordid1596
puisne1598
provant1601
subministrant1604
inferious1607
sublunary1624
indifferent1638
undermatched1642
unworthy1646
underly1648
turncoated1650
female1652
undergraduate1655
farandinical1675
baddishc1736
ungenerous1745
understrapping1762
tinnified1794
demi-semi1805
shabby1805
dicky1819
poor white1821
tin-pot1838
deterior1848
substandard1850
crumby1859
cheesy1863
po'1866
not-quite1867
rocky1873
mouldy1876
low-grade1878
sketchy1878
midget1879
junky1880
ullaged1892
abysmal1904
bodgie1905
junk1908
crap1936
ropy1941
bodger1945
two-star1951
tripey1955
manky1958
schlocky1960
cack1978
wank1991
bowf1994
a1300 Leg. Rood (1871) 34 Þe tre was vil and old.
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 5953 Þorouȝ goddes wrethe [they] shoten away, In to þat vile contreye.
c1400 Laud Troy Bk. 7274 I-wis thei hadde a vile nyȝt; It myȝt haue ben no worse wedur, Off heuene & erthe hadde gon to-gedur.
c1400 Rule of St. Benet 2020 Schos þai sall haue... Of þe farest þai sal not by, Bot þe vilist.
1521 in H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge Prol. sig. iv [He] toke the payne and laboure Thy legende to translate..Out of latine in Englisshe rude ande vyle.
1551 W. Turner New Herball 115 Cistus..that cummeth out of arabia..is viler then the other be.
1709 M. Prior Carmen Seculare (new ed.) in Poems Several Occasions 141 With the Blood of Jove there always ran Some viler Part, some Tincture of the Man.
1746 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Satires ii. v. 121 Writes he vile Verses in a frantic Vein?
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters iii. 259 This vile structure was, this year, removed.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor iii, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. II. 70 This appearance of Craigengelt..is a most vile augury for his future respectability.
1842 R. H. Barham Auto-da-fé in Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. 69 A Vile compound..called Olla podrida.
1851 J. Ruskin Stones of Venice I. viii. 91 The vile cathedral of Orleans.
1903 Times 10 Jan. 6/6 It is scarcely possible to conceive a viler day than..this.
b. Used as an intensive emphasizing some bad quality or condition; †also, heavy, severe.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > state of being accursed > [adjective] > as everyday imprecation
stinking?c1225
misbegetc1325
banned1340
cursefula1382
wariablea1382
cursedc1386
biccheda1400
maledighta1400
vilea1400
accursedc1400
whoresona1450
remauldit?1473
execrable1490
infamous1490
unbicheda1500
jolly1534
bloodyc1540
mangy?1548
pagan1550
damned1563
misbegotten1571
putid1580
desperate1581
excremental1591
inexecrable?1594
sacred1594
putrid1628
sad1664
blasted1682
plagued1728
damnation1757
infernal1764
damn1775
pesky1775
deuced1782
shocking1798
blessed1806
darned1815
dinged1821
anointed1823
goldarn1830
darn1835
cussed1837
blamed1840
unholy1842
verdomde1850
bleeding1858
ghastly1860
goddam1861
blankety1872
blame1876
bastard1877
God-awful1877
dashed1881
sodding1881
bally1885
ungodly1887
blazing1888
dee1889
motherfucking1890
blistering1900
plurry1900
Christly1910
blinking1914
blethering1915
blighted1915
blighting1916
soddish1922
somethinged1922
effing1929
Jesus1929
dagnab1934
bastarding1944
Christless1947
mother-loving1948
mothering1951
pussyclaat1957
mother-grabbing1959
pigging1970
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > severity > [adjective]
heavyc825
grimc900
strongeOE
hardeOE
drearyOE
eileOE
sweerOE
deara1000
bitterOE
tartc1000
smartOE
unridec1175
sharp?c1225
straitc1275
grievousc1290
fellc1330
shrewda1387
snella1400
unsterna1400
vilea1400
importunea1425
ungainc1425
thrallc1430
peisant1483
sore?a1513
weighty1540
heinous?1541
urgent?1542
asperous?1567
dure1567
spiny1586
searching1590
hoara1600
vengible1601
flinty1613
tugging1642
atrocious1733
uncannya1774
severe1774
stern1830
punishing1833
hefty1867
solid1916
a1400–50 Alexander 4164 Þan fandis he furth,..Come to a velans vale þare was a vile cheele.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1249 The bourder of his basnet [he] brestes in sonder, And videt the viser with a vile dynt.
1615 Work for Cutlers 9 I think that Powder is a vile bragger, he doth nothing but cracke.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 264 Will he steale out of his wholsome bed To dare the vile contagion of the Night? View more context for this quotation
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 474. ⁋1 To be obliged to receive and return Visits..is a vile Loss of Time.
1798 J. Ferriar Illustr. Sterne ii. 54 The brightest wit is confounded with the vilest absurdity.
B. adv.
= vilely adv. Now only in combinations.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > ignobleness or baseness > [adverb]
undignelyc1315
poorlyc1390
vilea1400
ignobly1594
unnobly1595
meanly1602
meana1626
unhandsomely1650
projectedly1660
unheroically1783
undignifiedly1856
raffishly1897
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > baseness > [adverb]
arghlyc1000
vilelyc1290
vilea1400
brothelyc1400
caitiflyc1425
scabbedly1548
vildly1575
unsela1583
basely1593
unnobly1595
dirtilya1631
shabbily1755
base-mindedly1851
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [adverb] > in a base or vile manner
unwraste?c1225
vilelyc1290
unwrastlyc1320
villainlya1325
vilea1400
vildly1575
basely1593
ignobly1594
projectedly1660
unsolidly1755
blackguardly1827
bounderishly1921
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16461 Iudas stode..for to be-hald and se Hu vile þat þai wit him delt.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 2145 Ofte sith hit is sene..That a victor of a victe is vile ouercomyn.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. x. sig. X6v The noble daughter of Corineus Would not endure to bee so vile disdaind.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge iv. v. sig. Iv No, no song: twill be vile out of tune.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) ii. i. 587 A most base and vile-concluded peace. View more context for this quotation
1742 R. North & M. North Life F. North 219 Roe was a close Servant of Monmouth's: Which comes vile near siding against his Master and Benefactor, the Duke of York.
1905 Westm. Gaz. 16 Feb. 1/3 The vile-smelling tramp on which we had taken passage.
A base or despicable person. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > baseness > base thing or person > [noun]
unledeOE
vilec1400
vild1605
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > baseness > base person > [noun]
houndOE
hinderlingc1175
whelpc1330
vilec1400
beasta1425
dog bolt1465
shake-rag1571
vassal1589
brock1607
shag-rag1611
shack-rag1612
slubberdegullion1612
baseling1618
shag1620
shab1637
slabberdegullion1653
whiffler1659
hang-dog1693
reptile1697
Nobodaddyc1793
skunk1816
spalpeen1817
tiger1827
soap-lock1840
shake1846
white mouse1846
sweep1853
shuck1862
whiffmagig1871
scrubber1876
ullage1901
jelly bean1905
heel1914
dirty dog1928
crud1932
crut1937
klunk1942
crudball1968
scumbag1971
bawbag1999
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [noun] > state or quality of being contemptible > contemptible person
wormc825
wretchOE
thingOE
hinderlingc1175
harlot?c1225
mixa1300
villain1303
whelpc1330
wonnera1340
bismera1400
vilec1400
beasta1425
creaturec1450
dog bolt1465
fouling?a1475
drivel1478
shit1508
marmoset1523
mammeta1529
pilgarlica1529
pode1528
slave1537
slim1548
skit-brains?1553
grasshopper1556
scavenger1563
old boss1566
rag1566
shrub1566
ketterela1572
shake-rag1571
skybala1572
mumpsimus1573
smatchetc1582
squib1586
scabship1589
vassal1589
baboon1592
Gibraltar1593
polecat1593
mushroom1594
nodc1595
cittern-head1598
nit1598
stockfish1598
cum-twang1599
dish-wash1599
pettitoe1599
mustard-token1600
viliaco1600
cargo1602
stump1602
snotty-nose1604
sprat1605
wormling1605
brock1607
dogfly?1611
shag-rag1611
shack-rag1612
thrum1612
rabbita1616
fitchock1616
unworthy1616
baseling1618
shag1620
glow-worm1624
snip1633
the son of a worm1633
grousea1637
shab1637
wormship1648
muckworm1649
whiffler1659
prig1679
rotten egg1686
prigster1688
begged fool1693
hang-dog1693
bugger1694
reptile1697
squinny1716
snool1718
ramscallion1734
footer1748
jackass1756
hallion1789
skite1790
rattlesnake1791
snot1809
mudworm1814
skunk1816
stirrah1816
spalpeen1817
nyaff1825
skin1825
weed1825
tiger1827
beggar1834
despicability1837
squirt1844
prawn1845
shake1846
white mouse1846
scurf1851
sweep1853
cockroach1856
bummer1857
medlar1859
cunt1860
shuck1862
missing link1863
schweinhund1871
creepa1876
bum1882
trashbag1886
tinhorn1887
snot-rag1888
rodent1889
whelpling1889
pie eatera1891
mess1891
schmuck1892
fucker1893
cheapskate1894
cocksucker1894
gutter-bird1896
perisher1896
skate1896
schmendrick1897
nyamps1900
ullage1901
fink1903
onion1904
punk1904
shitepoke1905
tinhorn sport1906
streeler1907
zob1911
stink1916
motherfucker1918
Oscar1918
shitass1918
shit-face1923
tripe-hound1923
gimp1924
garbage can1925
twerp1925
jughead1926
mong1926
fuck?1927
arsehole1928
dirty dog1928
gazook1928
muzzler1928
roach1929
shite1929
mook1930
lug1931
slug1931
woodchuck1931
crud1932
dip1932
bohunkus1933
lint-head1933
Nimrod1933
warb1933
fuck-piga1935
owl-hoot1934
pissant1935
poot1935
shmegegge1937
motheree1938
motorcycle1938
squiff1939
pendejo1940
snotnose1941
jerkface1942
slag1943
yuck1943
fuckface?1945
fuckhead?1945
shit-head1945
shite-hawk1948
schlub1950
asswipe1953
mother1955
weenie1956
hard-on1958
rass hole1959
schmucko1959
bitch ass1961
effer1961
lamer1961
arsewipe1962
asshole1962
butthole1962
cock1962
dipshit1963
motherfuck1964
dork1965
bumhole1967
mofo1967
tosspot1967
crudball1968
dipstick1968
douche1968
frickface1968
schlong1968
fuckwit1969
rassclaat1969
ass1970
wank1970
fecker1971
wanker1971
butt-fucker1972
slimeball1972
bloodclaat1973
fuckwad1974
mutha1974
suck1974
cocksuck1977
tosser1977
plank1981
sleazebag1981
spastic1981
dweeb1982
bumboclaat1983
dickwad1983
scuzzbag1983
sleazeball1983
butt-face1984
dickweed1984
saddie1985
butt plug1986
jerkweed1988
dick-sucker1989
microcephalic1989
wankstain1990
sadster1992
buttmunch1993
fanny1995
jackhole1996
fassyhole1997
fannybaws2000
fassy2002
c1400 Laud Troy Bk. 818 Sche wolde be more certayn That he schulde here no-wayes be-gile Ne holde here afftir for no vile.
c1400 Song of Roland 76 They synnyd so sore in þat ylk while that many men wept and cursid þat vile.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 285/1 Vyle, a noughty person, loricart.
Compounds
vile-born, vile-hearted, vile-natured, etc.
ΚΠ
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. vii Such a dongehyll knaue and vyle borne villeyne.
1591 E. Spenser Prosopopoia in Complaints 986 Be therefore counselled herein by me, And shake off this vile harted cowardree.
1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium I. i. v. Rule 8 §6 The necessities of women married to..morose vile-natur'd husbands.
1888 C. M. Doughty Trav. Arabia Deserta II. 30 The Hâyil princes..are perhaps mostly like vile-spirited in their youth.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† vilev.
Obsolete.
1. transitive. To bring to a vile or low condition; to abase or degrade. Also reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > degrading or debasement > degrade [verb (transitive)]
vile1297
supplanta1382
to bring lowa1387
revilea1393
gradea1400
villain1412
abject?a1439
to-gradea1440
vilifyc1450
villainy1483
disparage1496
degradea1500
deject?1521
disgraduate1528
disgress1528
regrade1534
base1538
diminute1575
lessen1579
to turn down1581
to pitch (a person) over the bar?1593
disesteem1594
degender1596
unnoble1598
disrank1599
reduce1599
couch1602
disthrone1603
displume1606
unplume1621
disnoble1622
disworth?1623
villainize1623
unglory1626
ungraduate1633
disennoble1645
vilicate1646
degraduate1649
bemean1651
deplume1651
lower1653
cheapen1654
dethrone1659
diminish1667
scoundrel1701
sink1706
demean1715
abjectate1731
unglorifya1740
unmagnify1747
undignify1768
to take the shine out of (less frequently from, U.S. off)1819
dishero1838
misdemean1843
downgrade1892
demote1919
objectify1973
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 802 Þus he bigan is mone; Alas, alas, þou luþer wate [= Fortune], þat vilest me þus one, Þat þus clene bringst me adoun.
a1300 Leg. Rood (1871) 34 Þe tre was vil and old; and to vili our lord also..ȝut hem þoȝte þat tre to vair þat he were þeron ido.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 863 Avoy! hit is your vylaynye, ȝe vylen your seluen.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. gv That the hye god omnypotent wolde vouchesafe to vyle hym selfe so lowe.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 765/2 Thou oughtest to be a shamed to vyle thy selfe with thyn yvell tonge.
2. To revile.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > invective or abuse > abuse [verb (transitive)]
vilea1300
rebutc1330
revilea1393
arunt1399
stainc1450
brawl1474
vituper1484
rebalk1501
to call (rarely to speak) (all) to naught1542
rattle1542
vituperate1542
bedaub1570
beray1576
bespurt1579
wring1581
misuse1583
caperclaw1589
abuse1592
rail1592
exagitate1593
to shoot atc1595
belabour1596
to scour one's mouth on1598
bespurtle1604
conviciate1604
scandala1616
delitigate1623
betongue1639
bespatter1644
rant1647
palt1648
opprobriatea1657
pelt1658
proscind1659
inveigh1670
clapperclaw1692
blackguard1767
philippize1804
drub1811
foul-mouth1822
bullyrag1823
target1837
barge1841
to light on ——1842
slang1844
villainize1857
slangwhang1880
slam-bang1888
vituperize1894
bad-mouth1941
slag1958
zing1962
to dump on (occasionally all over)1967
a1300 Cursor Mundi 25509 Suet lauerd!..þaa felun juus dai and night, vild [Fairf. reuiled] þe wit al þair might.
3. To defile.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > degrading or impairing morally > degrade or impair morally [verb (transitive)] > pollute or defile
afileeOE
awemOE
filec1175
wemc1175
soila1250
foulc1330
defoula1340
bleckc1380
blemishc1380
pollutea1382
tache1390
sulpa1400
vilec1400
spota1413
stain1446
defilec1450
violate1490
tan1530
smear1549
beray1576
moil1596
discolour1598
smut1601
bespurtle1604
sullya1616
commaculatec1616
decolour?c1622
collutulate1623
deturpate1623
berust1631
smutch1640
discolorate1651
smoot1683
tarnish1695
tar1817
dirten1987
c1400 tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. 147 In þe nyȝt byfore he viled hym self [L. se fœdasset] with a comoun womman.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adj.adv.n.c1290
v.1297