file — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A collection of papers collated and archived together.

   Examples

   It is upon a file with the duke's other letters.

   We'd like to know a little bit about you for our files We'd like to help you learn to help yourself

2. A roll or list.

   Examples

   a file of all the gentry

3. A course of thought; a thread of narration.

   Examples

   Let me resume the file of my narration.

4. An aggregation of data on a storage device, identified by a name.

   Examples

   He had created a file for coding to design a new product.

   I'm going to delete these unwanted files to free up some disk space.

5. A row of modular kitchen units and a countertop, consisting of cabinets and appliances below (dishwasher) and next to (stove/cooker) a countertop.

   Examples

   Many homes now have double-file kitchens.

Verb

1. To commit (official papers) to some office.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   She filed their accounts yesterday.

   More examples (1)

   The episode’s unwillingness to fully commit to the pathos of the Bart-and-Laura subplot is all the more frustrating considering its laugh quota is more than filled by a rollicking B-story that finds Homer, he of the iron stomach and insatiable appetite, filing a lawsuit against The Frying Dutchman when he’s hauled out of the eatery against his will after consuming all of the restaurant’s shrimp (plus two plastic lobsters).

   While the girls’ mothers were preparing to file missing-person reports, they received a call that their daughters were fine.

2. To commit (official papers) to some office. To submit a formal request to some office.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • Transitive
   • with for

   Examples

   She filed for divorce the next day.

   The company filed for bankruptcy when the office opened on Monday.

   More examples (2)

   They filed for a refund under their warranty.

   What started as a way to cover my expenses became something I could turn into a full-time job. Within a year, I filed an LLC and made it official.

3. (of a journalist) To submit (an article) to a newspaper or similar publication.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   I filed my copy soon after the interview.

4. To place in an archive in a logical place and order.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Troves of documents filed away in the depository.

5. To store a file (aggregation of data) on a storage medium such as a disc or another computer.

   Usage

   • Transitive

6. To set in order; to arrange, or lay away.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   I would have my several courses and my dishes well filed.

Noun

1. A column of people one behind another, whether "single file" or in a grid pattern.

   Antonyms

   rank

   Examples

   The troops marched in Indian file.

2. A small detachment of soldiers.

3. One of the eight vertical lines of squares on a chessboard (i.e., those identified by a letter).

   Antonyms

   rank

Verb

1. To move in a file.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

   Examples

   The applicants kept filing into the room until it was full.

Noun

1. A tool consisting of a strip or rod of hardened and coarse metal, used for removing sharp edges, shaping, and cutting, especially through metal; usually a hand tool.

   Broader terms

   tool

2. A cunning or resourceful person.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Slang

   Examples

   Will is an old file, in spite of his smooth face.

   The greatest character among them was that of a Pickpocket, or, in truer language, a File.

3. A pickpocket.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Slang

   Examples

   The greatest character among them was that of a pickpocket, or, in their language, a file.

Verb

1. To smooth, grind, or cut with a file.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   I'd better file the bottoms of the table legs. Otherwise they will scratch the flooring.

   More examples (1)

   Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. Indeed, a nail filed sharp is not of much avail as an arrowhead; you must have it barbed, and that was a little beyond our skill.

Verb

1. To defile.

   Usage

   • Archaic

   Synonyms

   befoulfoilinquinate

   Examples

   I cannot thinke […] So true a bird would file ſo faire a neſt, […]

   for Banquo's issue have I fil'd my mind

2. To corrupt.

   Synonyms

   immoralizelead astraywarp

Noun

1. a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together

   Synonyms

   data file

   Broader terms

   record

2. a line of persons or things ranged one behind the other

   Synonyms

   single fileIndian file

   Broader terms

   line

3. office furniture consisting of a container for keeping papers in order

   Synonyms

   file cabinetfiling cabinet

   Broader terms

   office furniture

4. a steel hand tool with small sharp teeth on some or all of its surfaces; used for smoothing wood or metal

   Broader terms

   hand tool

Verb

1. record in a public office or in a court of law

   Synonyms

   register

   Broader terms

   register

   Examples

   file for divorce

   file a complaint

2. smooth with a file

   Broader terms

   smoothsmoothen

   Examples

   file one's fingernails

3. proceed in line

   Broader terms

   marchprocess

   Examples

   The students filed into the classroom

4. file a formal charge against

   Synonyms

   chargelodge

   Broader terms

   accuseimpeachincriminatecriminate

   Examples

   The suspect was charged with murdering his wife

5. place in a container for keeping records

   Synonyms

   file away

   Broader terms

   recordenterput down

   Examples

   File these bills, please