How Do You Spell MILE?

Pronunciation: [mˈa͡ɪl] (IPA)

"Mile" is a five-letter word with the phonetic transcription /maɪl/. The word originates from the Latin word "mille passus" which means "a thousand steps". Interestingly, the spelling of this word has not changed much since it was first introduced into the English language, and the pronunciation has remained relatively consistent as well. The "i" and "e" in the word are pronounced as the long vowel sounds /aɪ/ and /i/, respectively, which is why the spelling is retained in this form. Overall, "mile" is a straightforward word to spell and pronounce.

MILE Meaning and Definition

  1. The noun "mile" refers to a unit of distance, commonly used in both the imperial and the United States customary systems of measurement. It is equivalent to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards, and is denoted by the symbol "mi." The term is derived from the Latin word "mille passus," which translates to "a thousand paces," as a mile historically represented the distance an average person could walk in a thousand steps.

    In everyday usage, a mile is often utilized to measure long distances, such as the distance between two cities, or the length of a race or marathon. It is frequently employed for road signage and map references, allowing for ease of understanding and navigation. Moreover, in the United States, a mile is commonly used to express speed, as in miles per hour (mph).

    The metric equivalent of a mile is the kilometer (km). One mile is approximately equivalent to 1.609 kilometers. This difference in measurement systems often requires conversion when communicating distances across countries or regions that utilize different units.

    Overall, a mile serves as a widely recognized unit of length, providing a practical means of measuring and comparing long distances and speeds, particularly in English-speaking countries.

  2. An Eng. measure of length or distance of 1760 yards-also called the statute mile, from having been incidentally defined in a statute of Queen Elizabeth; a measure of length differing widely in European countries.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for MILE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for MILE

Etymology of MILE

The word "mile" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the Latin word "milia" which means "thousands". In Ancient Rome, the unit of distance called "mille passus" meaning "a thousand paces" was commonly used. The word "mile" was derived from this Latin phrase. The "mille passus" was equivalent to 1,000 double paces or roughly 1,480 meters. Over time, the unit of distance evolved in different ways across various regions, eventually settling on the modern mile we use today.

Idioms with the word MILE

  • mile a minute The idiom "mile a minute" is used to describe someone or something that is moving very fast or at a rapid pace. It suggests that a person or an object is moving quickly, often exceeding normal speed or efficiency.
  • miss is as good as a mile The idiom "close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades" means that despite being close to achieving a goal or completing a task, it ultimately doesn't matter unless the goal is fully achieved or the task is completely done.
  • see, spot, smell, etc. something a mile off The idiom "see, spot, smell, etc. something a mile off" means to be able to easily recognize or detect something, usually due to its distinctive or obvious characteristics. It implies that the thing in question is so noticeable or distinctive that it can be identified from a considerable distance.
  • give sm an inch and they'll take a mile The idiom "give someone an inch and they'll take a mile" means that if you give a person a small opportunity or concession, they will try to take much more than what was initially given or expected. It implies that someone will exploit any leniency or small favor to their advantage.
  • give (one) an inch and (one) will take a mile The idiom "give (one) an inch and (one) will take a mile" means that if someone is given a small concession or opportunity, they will try to exploit it to its maximum extent, often pushing the boundaries or taking advantage of the situation. It implies that someone who is initially granted a small favor or leniency will attempt to gain even more, showing a lack of contentment or satisfaction with what was originally offered.
  • go the extra mile The idiom "go the extra mile" means to put in additional effort, often more than what is expected or required, in order to achieve a particular goal or to provide exceptional service.
  • Give sb an inch and they'll take a mile. The idiom "Give sb an inch and they'll take a mile" means that if you allow someone a small amount of freedom or leniency, they will often try to take advantage of that and exceed the boundaries originally set. It implies that even a small concession can lead to excessive demands or actions.
  • A miss is as good as a mile. The idiom "A miss is as good as a mile" means that whether a mistake or failure is small or large, the result is still the same. It refers to the idea that in certain situations, the specific details or magnitude of an error or near-success don't matter because the outcome is equally unsatisfactory.
  • miss by a mile The idiom "miss by a mile" means to fail or fall far short of an intended goal, objective, or target. It suggests that the attempt was so inaccurate or unsuccessful that it was nowhere near reaching the desired outcome.
  • Give an inch and he'll take a mile The idiom "Give an inch and he'll take a mile" means that when someone is granted a small concession or opportunity, they will most likely try to exploit it to gain much more than what was initially given. It implies that the person has a tendency to push boundaries or take advantage of situations.
  • stand out a mile The idiom "stand out a mile" means that something is extremely conspicuous or obvious. It suggests that whatever is being referred to is easily noticeable or distinct, often due to its size, appearance, or behavior.
  • stand/stick out a mile The idiom "stand/stick out a mile" means something or someone is very noticeable or conspicuous due to their distinct or obvious characteristics or actions. It is used to describe something that is easily seen or recognised even from a distance.
  • by a mile The idiom "by a mile" means to figuratively or emphatically surpass others in a competition, task, or measurement. It signifies having a significant advantage or an indisputable lead over others.
  • Give sm an inch and he'll take a mile. The idiom "Give someone an inch and he'll take a mile" means that if you allow someone a small amount of leeway or freedom, they will inevitably attempt to take advantage of it and exceed the boundaries or limits originally set. It suggests that some people will exploit even the smallest opportunity they are given.
  • run a mile The idiom "run a mile" means to avoid or distance oneself from someone or something quickly and completely, often due to a feeling of fear, dislike, or suspicion. It implies a strong desire to escape a situation or person in order to avoid any potential negative consequences.
  • a mile a minute The idiom "a mile a minute" means that someone is talking or thinking very rapidly, often using a high speed or quick pace of communication or thought.
  • miss (sth) by a mile The idiom "miss (something) by a mile" means to fail at doing or achieving something by a large margin, making a significant error or miscalculation. It implies that the objective or desired outcome was extremely far off or out of reach.
  • a country mile The idiom "a country mile" refers to a significant or considerably long distance, often implying a distance that is much greater than expected or necessary. It suggests a greater distance than a normal mile, and can also be used metaphorically to describe a wide gap or significant difference between two things.
  • stick out a mile The idiom "stick out a mile" means that something is very noticeable or obvious, often used to describe something or someone that is easily detected or stands out from its surroundings.
  • a mile off The definition of the idiom "a mile off" is to be easily noticeable, recognizable or predictable. It suggests that something or someone can be spotted or identified from a great distance due to obvious characteristics, behavior, or appearance.
  • give someone an inch and they'll take a mile The idiom "give someone an inch and they'll take a mile" means that if you allow someone a small concession or advantage, they will likely try to take full advantage of it and push for more. It suggests that someone will exploit any opportunity given to them and show a lack of restraint in gaining as much as possible.
  • a mile away The idiom "a mile away" refers to an individual's ability to perceive or detect something from a long distance or in advance. It implies that the person is very observant, discerning, or skilled at recognizing things quickly.
  • from a mile away The idiom "from a mile away" is used to describe something that is easily recognizable or noticeable, even from a great distance or by someone with limited observation skills. It implies that the thing or situation in question is so apparent or obvious that one doesn't need much effort or insight to perceive or understand it.
  • country mile The idiom "country mile" is commonly used to describe a significant distance or a vast measure. It suggests a distance that is much longer than what is typically expected or perceived. It implies the idea of something being considerably distant or surpassing one's expectations by a large margin.
  • give an inch and they'll take a mile "Give an inch and they'll take a mile" is an idiom that means if you grant someone a small concession or permission, they will try to take advantage of the situation and push for much more than they were originally given. It implies that once someone is given a small opportunity, they will seek to exploit it to a much greater extent than expected.
  • can see (from) a mile off The idiom "can see (from) a mile off" means to be able to easily recognize or detect something, often because it is obvious or clearly evident. It implies that the person's perception or awareness is extremely sharp or perceptive, making them notice something even if it is far away or disguised.
  • miss is as good as a mile, a The idiom "miss is as good as a mile" means that regardless of how close you were to accomplishing something, if you did not succeed, it is the same as if you were far away from achieving it.

Similar spelling words for MILE

Plural form of MILE is MILES

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