How to Pronounce Defile

To pronounce "defile", say DEF-il-e — 3 syllables, IPA /dɪˈfaɪl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

defile

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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Syllables

Letters

/dɪˈfaɪl/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “defile”

"defile" has 3 syllables: def-il-e.

What does defile mean?

verb

To make unclean, dirty, or impure; soil; befoul.
To vandalize or add inappropriate contents to something considered sacred or special; desecrate
“To urinate on someone's grave is an example of a way to defile it.”

Synonyms

contaminate pollute spoil sully desecrate profane ravish violate

Antonyms

clean purify sanctify

Hear “defile” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "defile"?▾

"Defile" has 3 syllables: def · il · e.

What is the IPA transcription of "defile"?▾

The IPA transcription of "defile" is /dɪˈfaɪl/.

What does "defile" mean?▾

Defile: To make unclean, dirty, or impure; soil; befoul.

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