Meaning & use

bile

noun·Academic

A bitter, greenish-yellow digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fats in the small intestine.

See it in a sentence

The gallbladder stores bile until the body needs it to digest a fatty meal.

Excess bile can cause nausea when the digestive system becomes upset.

A note on using this word

Bile is also used figuratively to mean bitter anger or ill will, especially when directed at someone in speech or writing.

Words with a similar meaning

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Another way to use it

2. noun

Bitter anger or ill will, especially expressed in speech or writing.

The critic's review dripped with bile toward the young, inexperienced author.

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