defiled
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /dɪˈfaɪld/
KK: /dɪˈfaɪld/
adjective
Definition
Something that is made dirty or impure, often in a moral or spiritual sense.
Example
The once beautiful garden was now defiled by litter and neglect.
Conversation
Did you see that old building downtown?
Yeah, it looks really defiled and abandoned.
I wonder what it used to be before it became so run down.
Probably something important, but now it just feels sad and defiled.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
tainted
polluted
contaminated
Antonyms
pure
clean
unblemished
verb
Definition
To make something dirty, unclean, or impure, often in a moral or spiritual sense.
Example
The once beautiful garden was defiled by litter and neglect.
Tense Forms
Past: defiled
Past Participle: defiled
Conversation
Did you hear about the park? Someone really defiled it last night.
Oh no, what happened?
They left trash everywhere and even vandalized the trees.
Root Explanation
Defiled → It is formed from "de-" (meaning down or away) and "filare" (meaning to spin or to make). The word "defiled" means to make something unclean or impure, as if taking it down from its original state of purity.
Memory Tip
Think of something being made 'down' or 'away' from its clean state — 'de-' means down or away, and 'filare' relates to making or spinning, which helps you remember that defiled means made unclean.
Visually Confused Words
undefiled
enfiled
deviled
undefied
detailed
befilmed