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

National policies like sugar taxes are vital, but having international coordination is also important in such a sprawling supply chain.

From Salon

Using mice, the researchers pinpointed a group of brain cells in the frontal cortex that connects to the brainstem, where vital actions like breathing are controlled.

From Science Daily

This humble mollusk is a vital source of income and nutrition for many coastal residents.

From Science Daily

"Tourism is a vital part of our local economy, but if we let it go too far in that direction, we end up with our communities being hollowed out," he says.

From BBC

"It is vital that we continually review our programmes...in order that we are able to deliver for our students," a spokesperson said.

From BBC

Related Words

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