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file

file

54 5.6
A rough tool with sharp teeth used to shape metal or wood
  • noun
  • /faɪl/
translation icon : lima
  • You got toenail clippers... ...a nail file... ...and you got yourself a dental mirror.

But as I've gotten older, I'll get that fingernail file sometime.

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Examples

  • And so whenever I use this file, I have never found one with a finer edge.

  • The only thing I had was that nail file, -or I would've died.

  • Did you break your file?

  • I got it - a nail file!

  • Now, did you bring a nail file?

  • Wait, I might have a nail file.

  • Another great home pedicure thing is this foot file by Ruby Hammer.

  • So I picked up this Champneys Spa Accessories foot file from Boots.

  • You need a nail file, nail buffer, metal pusher like this but if you don't have it you can use wood stick.

  • I need a file to smooth the rough edges of this wooden shelf.

Synonyms

rasp
vsfile
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A rough metal tool used to shape wood or hard materials

uses small sharp teeth for smoother shaping across various materials
filer
vsfile
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A tool used to smooth and shape wood and metal by rubbing

is the specific handheld tool with small sharp teeth for shaping
riffler
vsfile
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small file with two different ends for shaping and smoothing hard materials

is the standard hand tool used for larger or general shaping tasks
wood file
vsfile
4.2

A rough tool with sharp teeth that shapes and smooths wood

is broader, referring to a toothed handheld tool for many materials
flat file
vsfile
  • Specialized
5.8

A hand tool with a rough flat surface that you move to smooth or shape wood and metal

is the general toothed handheld tool not limited to flat faces
blunt file
vsfile
  • Specialized
7.1

A metal tool with two flat sides used to smooth or shape hard materials

is the general toothed handheld tool used on wood and metal
round file
vsfile
  • Specialized
7.0

A metal tool with a round shape to smooth or widen holes

is the general hand tool used to shape many surface types
rat-tail file
vsfile
  • Specialized
9.5

A thin metal tool with a round taper used to smooth small round holes and curves

is the broader handheld tool form used for general smoothing and shaping
taper file
vsfile
  • Specialized
8.2

A hand tool with edges that narrow to a point for shaping and smoothing metal or wood

is the general toothed hand tool used across flat and rounded areas
nailfile
vsfile
2.1

A small flat tool with a rough surface used to shape and smooth nails

is a larger hand tool used for shaping various materials beyond nails
foot file
vsfile
4.4

A tool for rubbing away hard skin from the soles of the feet

is a toothed hand tool for shaping hard materials, not for skin care

Idioms

on file
  • Formal
43 2.7

Information that an office or school keeps in an official record

Compounds

34 4.3

Ordinary members of a group who are not leaders

19 2.8

A line of people or things where one is behind another

15 2.1

A piece of office furniture with drawers that hold papers

13 2.2

A collection of information saved on a computer under a name

file sharing
  • Texting
13 2.9

A way to send digital files like documents or music over the internet, sometimes without permission

audio file
  • Specialized
9 3.3

A digital item that stores recorded sound like a song or podcast

video file
  • Specialized
9 2.3

A computer file that stores moving pictures and sound, like an MP4

7 3.4

A file that a program uses to keep related information

7 3.2

A person who organizes and keeps office papers and records

5 1.8

A folded piece of stiff paper that keeps loose papers in order

text file
  • Specialized
4 2.7

A computer file that has only plain text

4 3.5

A way of arranging and storing paper documents or computer data so you can find them

4 2.7

Name used to tell which computer file it is, often showing its type

backup file
  • Specialized
3 2.8

A file that stores a copy of other files so you can get them back if they are lost

master file
  • Specialized
1 4.2

The main computer record that holds original data for reference

file server
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A computer on a network that stores files and lets other users access them with permission

1 3.4

A file on a computer that holds information about a specific project

binary file
  • Specialized
1 4.7

A computer file that stores data in a non-text form for programs to read

file allocation table
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A table on a computer disk that shows where information is stored and which areas cannot be used

main file
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A central computer document that holds official records for a project

input file
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A computer file that contains data for a program to use

output file
  • Specialized
1 3.0

A computer file that stores data produced by a program

swap file
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A file on the hard drive used as extra memory when RAM is full

transaction file
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A computer file that holds recent records of actions updated while the computer works

blunt file
  • Specialized
7.1

A metal tool with two flat sides used to smooth or shape hard materials

circular file
  • Informal
7.5

A joke name for a wastebasket where unwanted papers go

dedicated file server
  • Specialized
5.1

A computer used only to store and share files for other computers

detail file
  • Specialized
5.5

A computer file that holds temporary data for a specific task

disk file
  • Specialized
3.4

A computer file stored on a disk with a unique name

dirt file
  • Literature
8.4

A set of secret bad facts about a person kept to use against them

editorial file
  • Literature
5.8

A set of documents ready to be printed or published

A way to share files over a network that lets people download without a password

ASCII text file
  • Specialized
3.5

A file that has only plain letters, numbers, and symbols with no special formatting

3.7

A standard way for computers to send files to each other over the internet

file name extension
  • Specialized
3.5

A few letters or numbers after a file name that show the file type

flat file
  • Specialized
5.8

A hand tool with a rough flat surface that you move to smooth or shape wood and metal

4.4

A tool for rubbing away hard skin from the soles of the feet

mug file
  • Jargon
8.1

A set of police photos of arrested people used to identify suspects

7.6

A single line of people or things one behind another

7.5

A computer that shares files on a network and is also used for work

rat-tail file
  • Specialized
9.5

A thin metal tool with a round taper used to smooth small round holes and curves

read-only file
  • Specialized
3.9

A file you can open and view but cannot change or delete

round file
  • Specialized
7.0

A metal tool with a round shape to smooth or widen holes

round file
  • Informal
7.8

A joking name for a trash can where unwanted papers go

taper file
  • Specialized
8.2

A hand tool with edges that narrow to a point for shaping and smoothing metal or wood

8.2

A set of folders or notes that remind you when to do tasks

A cabinet for holding papers upright in folders so you can pull them out easily

4.2

A rough tool with sharp teeth that shapes and smooths wood

How Rough

rasp
  • Specialized
1 8.2
file
54 5.6

Surface Forms

file singular
files plural

Etymology

File (noun) for the hand tool comes from an old root fil that meant 'to rub' or 'to scrape', which fits because a file is a tool you rub on metal or wood to make it smooth.