What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nasty
Example
The food tasted nasty. [nasty: adjective]
Example
He made a nasty comment about her appearance. [nasty: adjective]
Example
The weather turned nasty and we had to cancel our plans. [nasty: adjective]
vile
Example
The smell was so vile that I had to leave the room. [vile: adjective]
Example
He committed a vile act of violence against innocent people. [vile: adjective]
Example
The dictator's regime was characterized by vile oppression and human rights abuses. [vile: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nasty is more common in everyday language than vile. Nasty is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vile is less common and has a stronger negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nasty and vile?
Vile is typically associated with a more formal or serious tone, while nasty is more casual and informal.
