The words vial and vile may sound similar, but they have very different meanings. Vial refers to a small container used to store liquids, while vile describes something that is extremely unpleasant or morally despicable.

Vial

Definition:

A vial is a small, closable container, typically used for holding liquids, such as medicine, perfumes, or laboratory samples.

Examples of use:

The chemist carefully poured the solution into a small vial.

The lab technician put the remaining liquid in a glass vial for later use.

She carried a vial of essential oils in her purse for aromatherapy.

Vile

Definition:

Vile means something that is despicable, repulsive, or disgustingly bad.

Examples of use:

The villain’s vile plan shocked everyone in the room.

We experienced vile weather during our Alaskan cruise, with constant rain and cold winds.

His vile behavior at the party left a lasting negative impression on everyone.


In summary, a vial is a small container used for liquids, while vile describes something deeply unpleasant or morally wrong. Be mindful of the context when choosing between these two words.

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