vital

[ vahyt-l ]

adjective

1. of or relating to life:

   vital processes.

2. having remarkable energy, liveliness, or force of personality:

   a vital leader.

3. being the seat or source of life:

   the vital organs.

4. necessary to life:

   vital fluids.

5. necessary to the existence, continuance, or well-being of something; indispensable; essential:

   vital for a healthy society.

   Synonyms: critical, important

6. affecting the existence, well-being, truth, etc., of something:

   a vital error.

7. of critical importance:

   vital decisions.

8. destructive to life; deadly:

   a vital wound.

vital

/ ˈvaɪtəl /

adjective

1. essential to maintain life

   the lungs perform a vital function

2. forceful, energetic, or lively

   a vital person

3. of, relating to, having, or displaying life

   a vital organism

4. indispensable or essential

   books vital to this study

5. of great importance; decisive

   a vital game

6. archaic.
   influencing the course of life, esp negatively

   a vital treachery

noun

1. plural
   1. the bodily organs, such as the brain, liver, heart, lungs, etc, that are necessary to maintain life
   2. the organs of reproduction, esp the male genitals
2. plural the essential elements of anything

Derived Forms

• ˈvitally, adverb

Other Words From

• vital·ly adverb
• vital·ness noun
• non·vital adjective
• non·vital·ly adverb
• non·vital·ness noun
• quasi-vital adjective
• quasi-vital·ly adverb
• super·vital adjective
• super·vital·ly adverb
• super·vital·ness noun
• un·vital adjective
• un·vital·ly adverb
• un·vital·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vital¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin vītālis, equivalent to vīt(a) “life” (derivative of vīvere “to live”; akin to Greek bioûn, Sanskrit jīvati “(he) lives,” English quick ( def ) ) + -ālis -al ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of vital¹

C14: via Old French from Latin vītālis belonging to life, from vīta life

Example Sentences

In the fall of 2003, The Social Contract ran an ad encouraging its readers to join the Sierra Club so that they could help elect “leaders who will redirect this vital organization toward genuine environmental stewardship.”

From Salon

It accuses Israeli authorities of blocking “all but a small fraction of the necessary humanitarian aid, water, electricity, and fuel from reaching civilians in need”, as well as carrying out attacks that have damaged and destroyed vital resources like hospitals and bakeries.

From BBC

After a series of weekly talks and time spent together at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Mayor Karen Bass says she has come to believe “the experience he brings will be vital.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Welsh government said the arts sector made "a vital social, cultural and economic contribution to our society, enriching communities and inspiring future generations".

From BBC

But these flashbacks also strip images of vital context.

From Slate

Related Words

• basic
• critical
• crucial
• decisive
• fundamental
• imperative
• important
• indispensable
• integral
• key
• meaningful
• necessary
• needed
• significant
• urgent