Usage Note
Vieil is the masculine singular form of vieux used before a word beginning with a vowel or silent 'h': un vieil homme ('an old man'). Before consonants, the regular vieux is used. The feminine form is vieille in all positions. This is one of French's handful of adjectives with three distinct forms.
Examples
"C'est un vieil ami à moi."
Natural Translation
He is an old friend of mine.
Literal Translation
It-is an old friend to me
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