noun

file

fyl

noun

A collection of related documents or data stored together, whether on paper or on a computer.

"She pulled the customer's file from the cabinet."

"Save the file before you close the program."

A line of people or things arranged one behind another.

"The soldiers marched in single file."

A metal tool with a rough, ridged surface used to smooth or shape hard materials.

"He used a file to smooth the rough edge of the metal bracket."

verb

To submit official paperwork or a formal request to an office or authority.

"They filed their tax return in February."

"The journalist filed her story just before the deadline."

To smooth, shape, or wear down something using a file.

"She filed her nails before the interview."

How to Use File

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a set of stored documents/data, a line of people, or a tool for smoothing hard surfaces — and as a verb, to submit paperwork or to smooth something down.

Common mistake

The "line of people" sense and the "document/tool" senses come from different word histories that happen to share a spelling — don't assume they're related.

Common pairings

file a report file taxes single file nail file

Word Forms

filed past tense, filed past tense, filed past tense, filed past tense, files plural, files plural, Files plural, files singular, files singular, files singular, files singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “file” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She pulled the customer's _____ from the cabinet.

Etymology

From Old French fil, meaning "thread," ultimately from Latin filum. The tool sense (metal rasp) comes from a separate, unrelated Old English word, fil.

Rhymes for file

mile tile pile wile vile rile Nile bile Chile smile while exile

See all rhymes for file →