vile

adjective

1. 1

   Morally low; base; despicable.

   vile accusation

   vile man

   Turn now to the temperance revolution. In it we shall find a stronger bondage broken, a viler slavery manumitted, a greater tyrant deposed; in it, more of want supplied, more disease healed, more sorrow assuaged.

   The parties stooped to vile and unbecoming meannesses; infinite briberies, forgeries, perjuries, and all manners of debauchings of the principles and manners of the electors were attempted.

2. 2

   Causing physical or mental repulsion; horrid; disgusting.

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

   The medicine had a vile taste and smell.

   We can't go out in this vile weather.

   The sailors expected me to be sick, but I stood up to it like a seasoned salt, although the food was the vilest I have ever tasted, and that’s saying a lot.

noun

1. 1

   That which is vile; vileness.

   “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 that is noblest and best.”

Forms

comparative

viler, more vile

superlative

vilest, most vile