Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense files, present participle filing, past tense, past participle filed
1. countable noun
A file is a box or a folded piece of heavy paper or plastic in which letters or documents are kept.
He sat behind a table on which were half a dozen files.
...a file of insurance papers. [+ of]
Synonyms: folder, case, portfolio, binder More Synonyms of file
2. countable noun
A file is a collection of information about a particular person or thing.
There was stuff in that file that was private between me and Dr Denny.
We already have files on people's tax details, mortgages and poll tax. [+ on]
You must record and keep a file of all expenses. [+ of]
Synonyms: dossier, record, information, data More Synonyms of file
3. verb
If you file a document, you put it in the correct file.
They are all filed alphabetically under author. [beVERB-ed]
4. countable noun
In computing, a file is a set of related data that has its own name.
5. verb
If you file a formal or legal accusation, complaint, or request, you make it officially.
A number of them have filed formal complaints against the police. [VERB noun]
I filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery a few months later. [VERB + for]
6. verb
When someone files a report or a news story, they send or give it to their employer.
Catherine Bond filed that report for the BBC from Nairobi. [VERB noun]
He had to rush back to the office and file a housing story before the secretarieswent home. [VERB noun]
7. verb
When a group of people files somewhere, they walk one behind the other in a line.
She paused as the group of children filed out of the house. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Slowly, people filed into the room and sat down. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: march, troop, parade, walk in line More Synonyms of file
8. countable noun
A file is a hand tool which is used for rubbing hard objects to make them smooth, shape them, or cut through them.
9. verb
If you file an object, you smooth it, shape it, or cut it with a file.
Manicurists are skilled at shaping and filing nails. [VERB noun]
10. See also nail file, rank and file
11.
See on file/ on sb's files
12.
See in single file
Phrasal verbs:
See file away
More Synonyms of file
file in British English1
(faɪl)
noun
1.
a folder, box, etc, used to keep documents or other items in order
2.
the documents, etc, kept in this way
3.
documents or information about a specific subject, person, etc
we have a file on every known thief
4.
an orderly line or row
5.
a line of people in marching formation, one behind another
Compare rank1 (sense 6)
6.
any of the eight vertical rows of squares on a chessboard
7. computing
a named collection of information, in the form of text, programs, graphics, etc, held on a permanent storage device such as a magnetic disk
8. obsolete
a list or catalogue
9. Canadian
a group of problems or responsibilities, esp in government, associated with a particular topic
the environment file
10. on file
verb
11.
to place (a document, letter, etc) in a file
12. (transitive)
to put on record, esp to place (a legal document) on public or official record; register
13. (transitive)
to bring (a suit, esp a divorce suit) in a court of law
14. (transitive)
to submit (copy) to a newspaper or news agency
15. (intransitive)
to march or walk in a file or files
the ants filed down the hill
Derived forms
filer (ˈfiler)
noun
Word origin
C16 (in the sense: string on which documents are hung): from Old French filer, from Medieval Latin fīlāre; see filament
file in British English2
(faɪl)
noun
1.
a hand tool consisting essentially of a steel blade with small cutting teeth on some or all of its faces. It is used for shaping or smoothing metal, wood, etc
2. rare, British slang
a cunning or deceitful person
verb
3. (transitive)
to shape or smooth (a surface) with a file
Derived forms
filer (ˈfiler)
noun
Word origin
Old English fīl; related to Old Saxon fīla, Old High German fīhala file, Greek pikros bitter, sharp
file in British English3
(faɪl)
verb
(transitive) obsolete
to pollute or defile
Word origin
Old English fӯlan; related to Middle Low German vülen; see defile1, filth, foul
file in American English1
(faɪl)
verb transitiveWord forms: filed or ˈfiling
1.
a.
to arrange (papers, etc.) in order for future reference
b.
to put (a paper, etc.) in its proper place or order
2. US
to dispatch (a news story) to a newspaper, news agency, etc.
3.
to register (an application, etc.)
4.
to put (a legal document) on public record
5.
to initiate (a divorce suit or other legal action)
verb intransitive
6.
to move in a line
to file out of a building
7. US
to register oneself as a candidate (for a political office)
8.
to make application (for divorce proceedings, etc.)
noun
9.
a container, as a folder, cabinet, etc., for keeping papers in order
10.
an orderly arrangement of papers, cards, etc., as for reference
11.
a line of persons or things situated one behind another
see also rank1
12.
any of the rows of squares on a chessboard extending from one player's end to theother
13. Computing
a collection of data (or, often, of logically related records) stored and dealt with as a single, named unit
see also record (sense 13), field (sense 12)
Idioms:
in file
on file
Derived forms
fileable (ˈfileable)
adjective
filer (ˈfiler)
noun
Word origin
ME filen < OFr filer, to string documents on thread, orig., to spin thread < LL filare, to spin < L filum, thread < IE base *gwhislo- > Lith gýsla, sinew
file in American English2
(faɪl)
noun
1.
a steel tool with a rough, ridged surface for smoothing, grinding down, or cutting through something
2. British, Slang
a crafty rascal
verb transitiveWord forms: filed or ˈfiling
3.
to smooth, grind down, or cut through as with a file
Word origin
ME < OE feol (Mercian fil), akin to Ger feile < Du vijl, prob. < IE base *peik-, var. of *peig-, to scratch, prick > paint
file in American English3
(faɪl)
verb transitiveWord forms: filed or ˈfiling
Archaic
to make foul; defile
Word origin
ME filen < OE -fylan < ful, dirty, foul
filé in American English
(fiˈleɪ)
US
noun
powdered sassafras leaves, used in Creole cooking
Word origin
AmFr < Fr, pp. of filer, to twist, spin < L filare < filum, a thread: see file1
Examples of 'file' in a sentence
file
By tonight it is expected that more than a million people will have filed past to pay their respects.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We went through a rough patch in 2010 when we both filed for divorce.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She filed for divorce after two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
The Sun (2016)
About 11 million people are expected to file online this year and the signs are that more people are filing earlier.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The bonanza was exposed by documents filed at Companies House.
The Sun (2017)
Paying your dues You must file a return if you earn:?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Many of the steps undertaken in such a restructuring will be identifiable from records filed at Companies House.
Computing (2010)
Police took away computers and boxes of files.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He said the breaches could be as small as forgetting to file minor financial information.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But on the facts of the case his file was already bulky.
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
This decline was due partly to the generally buoyant economy that saw fewer people filing claims.
A Conceptual View of Human Resource Management: Strategic Objectives, Environments,Functions
There was little public information available about the divorce filing.
Christianity Today (2000)
Metal filing cabinets can be changed for wooden ones.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley Stay Well This Winter (1989)
They joined in filing a legal action yesterday.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
HERE'S another one from the file of fabulously pointless scientific research.
The Sun (2013)
This file records all your transactions and overall account balance for a year.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The investigation was brought to an end and the police files were placed in storage.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It takes the number of files handed over by detectives into double figures.
The Sun (2010)
Income from transmitting data files via wireless has increased sharply.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is also worth investing in some stylish box files for your shelves.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Last night they were checking files on missing people and continued to comb the scene for clues.
The Sun (2015)
You had already filed your return and made your tax payment when you asked to pay off the loan.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
His wife has filed for divorce.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
When she returned she found that ultrasound images, surrogacy files and tax information had gone missing.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
No one in that group who files a return in a subsequent year receives a refund until the amount previously owed is paid.
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
Despite being named in police files, officers had not quizzed him.
The Sun (2016)
The entire building was gutted, but the slips remained intact because they were stored in metal filing cabinets.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Word lists with
file
tool
In other languages
file
British English: file /faɪl/ NOUN
for documents A file is a box or folder in which documents are kept.
...a file of insurance papers.
American English: file folder
Arabic: مَلَفّ
Brazilian Portuguese: arquivo
Chinese: 档案
Croatian: spis
Czech: šanon
Danish: sagsmappe
Dutch: dossier
European Spanish: archivo documentos
Finnish: kansio
French: dossier
German: Aktenordner
Greek: ντοσιέ
Italian: raccoglitore
Japanese: ファイル folder
Korean: 파일
Norwegian: mappe
Polish: plik
European Portuguese: arquivo
Romanian: dosar
Russian: папка
Latin American Spanish: archivo
Swedish: fil akt
Thai: แฟ้มเอกสาร
Turkish: dosya
Ukrainian: папка
Vietnamese: tập hồ sơ
British English: file /faɪl/ NOUN
tool A file is a tool with rough surfaces, used for smoothing and shaping hard materials.
American English: file tool
Arabic: مِبْرَد
Brazilian Portuguese: lima
Chinese: 锉刀
Croatian: turpija
Czech: pilník
Danish: fil
Dutch: vijl
European Spanish: lima herramienta
Finnish: viila
French: lime
German: Feile
Greek: λίμα
Italian: lima
Japanese: やすり tool
Korean: 줄
Norwegian: fil
Polish: pilnik
European Portuguese: lima
Romanian: pilă
Russian: напильник
Latin American Spanish: lima herramienta
Swedish: fil verktyg
Thai: ตะไบ
Turkish: eğe
Ukrainian: напилок
Vietnamese: giũa
British English: file /faɪl/ VERB
document If you file a document, you put it in the correct file.
The letters are all filed alphabetically.
American English: file folder
Arabic: يَحْفَظُ في مَلَفّ
Brazilian Portuguese: arquivar
Chinese: 归档保存
Croatian: pohraniti
Czech: založit do desek
Danish: arkivere
Dutch: opslaan
European Spanish: archivar
Finnish: arkistoida
French: classer dossiers
German: abheften
Greek: αρχειοθετώ
Italian: archiviare
Japanese: ファイルする folder
Korean: 철하다
Norwegian: arkivere
Polish: złożyć do akt
European Portuguese: arquivar
Romanian: a îndosaria
Russian: архивировать
Latin American Spanish: archivar
Swedish: arkivera
Thai: จัดเข้าแฟ้ม
Turkish: dosyalamak
Ukrainian: архівувати
Vietnamese: lưu hồ sơ
British English: file /faɪl/ VERB
object If you file an object, you smooth or shape it with a file.
She was shaping and filing her nails.
American English: file smoothing
Arabic: يَبْرُدُ بـِمِبْرَد
Brazilian Portuguese: limar
Chinese: 用锉刀锉
Croatian: turpijati
Czech: pilovat
Danish: file
Dutch: vijlen
European Spanish: limar
Finnish: viilata
French: limer
German: feilen
Greek: λιμάρω
Italian: limare
Japanese: やすりをかける smoothing
Korean: 줄질하다
Norwegian: file
Polish: spiłować
European Portuguese: limar
Romanian: a pili
Russian: шлифовать
Latin American Spanish: limar
Swedish: fila
Thai: ตะไบ
Turkish: törpülemek
Ukrainian: підпилювати
Vietnamese: giũa
All related terms of 'file'
in file
in line, one behind another
on file
recorded or catalogued for reference , as in a file
box file
a rigid file which opens like a box , usually made of strong cardboard and able to hold a large quantity of documents
card file
a collection of cards containing data or records, arranged systematically, as in alphabetical order, in boxes or drawers
case file
a file kept on a person who is involved in a medical , legal, or social work investigation
data file
a file containing data that is used by a computer program
file away
If you file away a document , you put it in the correct file.
file card
a card with information written on it used in a filing system
file name
an arrangement of characters that enables a computer system to permit the user to have access to a particular file
log file
a file that records all the activity that has occurred on a system
nail file
A nail file is a small strip of rough metal or card that you rub across the ends of your nails to shorten them or shape them.
text file
a file , readable by a person, that doesn't contain any codes but only contains text and numbers
work file
a temporary file that holds data during processing
zip file
A zip file is a computer file containing data that has been compressed.
ASCII file
a file that uses the ASCII code
batch file
a computer file with sequential commands to be executed when the file is read
cross-file
to register as a candidate in more than one party's primary election
file clerk
a person hired to keep office files in order
file folder
a thin cardboard folder of a size to be stored in the drawer of a file cabinet and for containing correspondence and other files
file server
the central unit of a local area network that controls its operation and provides access to separately stored data files
Indian file
in single file
master file
an original file from which duplicates are made
round file
a wastepaper basket
setup file
a file needed to set up or install a computer program
single file
a line of persons, animals, or things ranged one behind the other, either stationary or moving
sound file
an audio file that can be played by a computer or other electronic device
archive file
a single computer file that contains one or more files that have been compressed
circular file
a wastebasket
crosscut file
a file having two intersecting rows of teeth
file cabinet
A file cabinet is a piece of office furniture , usually made of metal, which has drawers in which files are kept.
file manager
a program that organizes and arranges files in a computer
file sharing
File-sharing is a method of distributing computer files , for example files containing music, among a large number of users .
floatcut file
file with rows of parallel teeth
scratch file
A scratch file is a temporary computer file which you use as a work area or as a store while a program is operating .
student file
a file containing information about each student in a school, college , etc, such as demographic information and information about grades , etc
tickler file
a difficult or delicate problem
accordion file
an expanding file made of ridged paper with separate compartments for different types of document
file a claim
If you file a claim , you make a request to an insurance company for payment of a sum of money according to the terms of an insurance policy .
file extension
a set of letters such as . doc added to the end of its name that identifies what type of file something is
file management
the work of organizing and arranging files in a computer
suspension file
a folder for documents that has protruding ends that can be hung over rails for storage
in single file
A group of people who are walking or standing in single file are in a line , one behind the other.
rank and file
The rank and file are the ordinary members of an organization or the ordinary workers in a company, as opposed to its leaders or managers .
dead-smooth file
the smoothest grade of file commonly used
file a complaint
A complaint is a statement in which you express your dissatisfaction with a particular situation.
half-round file
a file having a semicircular cross-section
single-cut file
a file with teeth in one direction only: used for filing soft material
card index
A card index is a number of cards with information written on them which are arranged in a particular order, usually alphabetical , so that you can find the information you want easily .
electronic file cabinet
a device, controlled by software , for the storage and retrieval of information
file transfer protocol
file transfer protocol ; the standard protocol used to transfer files across the internet , or a similar network , between computer systems