file

1
[ fahyl ]
/ faɪl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR file ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object), filed, fil·ing.

verb (used without object), filed, fil·ing.

to march in a file or line, one after another, as soldiers: The parade filed past endlessly.
to make application: to file for a civil-service job.

Idioms for file

    on file, arranged in order for convenient reference; in a file: The names are on file in the office.

Origin of file

1
1425–75; late Middle English filen < Middle French filer to string documents on a thread or wire, Old French: to wind or spin thread < Late Latin fīlāre, verbal derivative of Latin fīlum thread, string

OTHER WORDS FROM file

file·a·ble, adjective fil·er, noun non·fil·er, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH file

file phial

Words nearby file

filatov flap, filature, filbert, filch, filchner ice shelf, file, file band, file card, file clerk, file extension, file folder

Words related to on file

listed, registered, reported, documented, guarded, reserved, withheld, held, saved, maintained, clutched, published, entered, noted, chronicled, cataloged, inscribed, certified

British Dictionary definitions for on file (1 of 3)

file 1
/ (faɪl) /

noun

verb

Derived forms of file

filer, noun

Word Origin for file

C16 (in the sense: string on which documents are hung): from Old French filer, from Medieval Latin fīlāre; see filament

British Dictionary definitions for on file (2 of 3)

file 2
/ (faɪl) /

noun

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
rare, British slang a cunning or deceitful person

verb

(tr) to shape or smooth (a surface) with a file

Derived forms of file

filer, noun

Word Origin for file

Old English fīl; related to Old Saxon fīla, Old High German fīhala file, Greek pikros bitter, sharp

British Dictionary definitions for on file (3 of 3)

file 3
/ (faɪl) /

verb

(tr) obsolete to pollute or defile

Word Origin for file

Old English fӯlan; related to Middle Low German vülen; see defile 1, filth, foul

Scientific definitions for on file

file
[ fīl ]

A collection of related data or program records stored as a unit with a single name. Files are the basic units that a computer works with in storing and retrieving data.

Idioms and Phrases with on file (1 of 2)

on file

In or as if in a record for easy reference. For example, There's no job open right now, but we'll keep your résumé on file. The use of file in the sense of “a collection of papers stored for ready reference” dates from the early 1600s.

Idioms and Phrases with on file (2 of 2)

file

see in single file; on file; rank and file.