From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishfilefile1 /faɪl/ ●●● S1 W2 AWL noun [countable] 1 INFORMATIONa set of papers, records etc that contain information about a particular person or subjectfile on Mendoza read over the file on the murders. The FBI keeps files on former White House employees. We will keep your details on file (=store them for later use).police/case/medical etc file a copy of the court file2 KEEP/STOREa box or piece of folded card in which you store loose papers She pulled a blue file from the shelf.3 INFORMATIONinformation on a computer that you store under a particular name a list of all the files and folders on your hard disk4 TZa metal tool with a rough surface that you rub on something to make it smooth → nail file5 LINEa line of people who are standing or walking one behind the otherfile of a file of soldiers marching in stepin file It was dark as we set off in file. → single file, rank and fileCOLLOCATIONS – Meaning 3: information on a computer that you store under a particular nameverbsopen a fileClick on the icon to open the file.close a fileYou may need to close the file and restart the computer.save a fileSave the file under a different filename.create a fileI created a file of useful contacts.delete a file (=remove it)I accidentally deleted the wrong file.access a file (=open or read it)You won’t be able to access the file if another user has opened it.edit a file (=make changes to it)I edited the file and saved it to the hard disk.copy a fileTo copy a file, save it using a new filename.move a fileHe was trying to move the file from one folder to another.transfer a file (=move it from one computer system to another)You can transfer files and share your stuff with friends.download a file (=move a copy of it from the Internet or another computer to your computer)It just takes a few seconds to download the file.upload a file (=move a copy of it from your computer to the Internet or another computer)Restart the web browser, and then upload the file.load a file (=put it onto a computer)Double-click on the icon and it will load the zip file onto your computer. send somebody a file (=send it using email)Do you want me to send you the file?attach a file (=send it with an email)Sorry, I forgot to attach the file.compress a file (=make it smaller so that it uses less space on a computer)The program allows you to compress files.NOUN + filea computer fileDelete some of the old computer files and create some space on the hard drive.a backup file (=a copy of a file, which is made in case the original becomes lost or damaged)You can burn your backup file to CD or DVD. a text fileThe text file contains hints on how to get the best out of the program.a data fileThe bigger the data file, the more time is needed to search it.a graphics fileThis handy utility allows you to change graphics files from one format to another.
Examples from the Corpus
file• The enemy succeeded in capturing myself and 2,200 rank and file, many of them being wounded.• Arriving at Polly's door, Jack checked the number one more time against the information in his file and knocked.• The FBI keeps files on all suspected terrorists.• Inside the window is a list of files contained inside the compressed file.• We keep copies of all applications on file.• Each attribute or set of related attributes is stored in its own file.• I put Callahan's file back in the drawer.• They allow you to get to the same file from many different folders without having to make copies of that file.• He turned to the last report made by the investigating officer before the file was consigned to Records.• The statistics are in the file called "stats.doc."• According to a letter in the files this man's name was Pavey.• I seem to have lost the file with all my personal records on it.• Could you bring me the file on the West murder, please?• Just click on the icon to open the file.• Only a few people are allowed to see these files.• a stack of blue and yellow files• It's a good idea to save your files to a floppy disk as a backup.police/case/medical etc file• But only after everything is solved, another case filed away.• But it could have strategic value for a defense team facing the biggest case filed against an Aberdeen soldier to date.• I thanked him and left, taking with me copies of the statements in the Southwark Bridge case file.• For 20 years he was told the film was locked away in police files.• In 1982 pre-hearing assessments were requested in six percent of cases filed, about half by the tribunal of its own motion.• He discovered secret police files documenting drug abuse.• Some of them gave a different identity from the one contained in the case file.• By the vagaries of shuffling, one of the last sheets in the medical file was a report from an ophthalmologist.filefile2 ●●○ S3 W3 AWL verb 1 [transitive]KEEP/STORE to keep papers, documents etc in a particular place so that you can find them easily The contracts are filed alphabetically.file something under something I looked to see if anything was filed under my name.file something away The handbooks are filed away for future reference.2 [transitive] to give or send an official report or news story to your employer The officer left the scene without filing a report.3 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] lawRECORD to give a document to a court or other organization so that it can be officially recorded and dealt withfile a complaint/lawsuit/petition etc (against somebody) Mr Genoa filed a formal complaint against the department.file for The Morrisons have filed for divorce. Today is the deadline for Americans to file their tax returns.4 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]LINE if people file somewhere, they walk there in a line We began to file out into the car park. The mourners filed past the coffin.5 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive]TZD to use a metal or wooden tool to rub something in order to make it smooth File down the sharp edges. She sat filing her nails.→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
file• Slawa filed a copy of the contract he'd signed.• Federal indictments have been returned against 47 defendants, and state charges have been filed against 77.• All the students' records are filed alphabetically.• On the other hand, some accountants say they will bill clients if legal changes force them to file an amended return.• Once a complaint is received it is usually filed away and forgotten.• I filed away my notes and manuscripts.• Smith Corona files for Chapter 11.• Alice sat at her desk, filing her nails.• My father was, had cancer, he filed his claim, he had to wait his five months.• Barb, could you file these papers for me?• On Sept. 29,1995, an aggravated battery incident report was filed with Metro-Dade Police.filed alphabetically• Each lexical item is given its own card and is filed alphabetically.• The reservation form and confirmation slip copy are then filed alphabetically in date of arrival order. 6.• These forms are filed alphabetically, the expiry date carefully noted and systematically cleared out after the expiry date has elapsed.filed for divorce• Danielle has since filed for divorce.• Flinn says this guy lied to her, saying he was legally separated from his wife and had filed for divorce.• Like the dated documents that mark the summer Jerry and I filed for divorce.• Sam's split: Actor Ted Danson's wife has filed for divorce.• The very next day I saw a solicitor and filed for divorce.• They want us to believe irreconcilable differences are the reason she filed for divorce?• Though she has filed for divorce, Anne Mirretti, 38, asked the judge to have pity on her husband.• Packer has filed for divorce from his wife of 25 years.• But she filed for divorce in June last year after a series of violent rows.From Longman Business Dictionaryfilefile1 /faɪl/ noun [countable]1information about a person or subject that is kept by a company or other organizationI see from my files that we still have not received payment from you.A credit reference agency is a company which keeps files on individuals’ debt records.2on file if information is kept on file, it is kept so it can be used when it is neededWe will keep your application on file.3OFFICEa box or a cover made of heavy paper or plastic, used to store papers, letters, or documentsCopies of every letter are kept in a file to record what was agreed.4COMPUTINGa collection of information on a computer that is stored under a particular nameBe careful not to delete (=remove) any important files.You might want to rename the file at a later date.Save a copy of the file to disk and send it to me. → data file → data interchange format file → log file → PDF file → PostScript file → program file → text file → web log file → zip filefilefile2 verb1[transitive] to keep or put papers with information on them in a particular place, so that you can find them easilyThe reservation form and confirmation slip are then filed alphabetically.2[transitive]ACCOUNTING to officially send your accounts to the authoritiesYou could be prosecuted for failing to file your accounts before February 28. → see also pay and file3[intransitive, transitive]LAW to officially record a complaint, law case, official document etcChevron filed a lawsuit to remove Pennzoil as a shareholder.America’s federal bankruptcy code was rewritten in order to make it easier tofile for bankruptcy (=inform the authorities that a business is bankrupt).→ See Verb tableOrigin file1 1. (1500-1600) French fil “thread”, from Latin filum (because documents were stored on pieces of string). 2. Old English feol 