View synonyms for vital

vital

[ vahyt-l ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of or relating to life:
vital processes.
having remarkable energy, liveliness, or force of personality:
a vital leader.
being the seat or source of life:
the vital organs.
necessary to life:
vital fluids.
necessary to the existence, continuance, or well-being of something; indispensable; essential:
vital for a healthy society.
Synonyms: critical, important
affecting the existence, well-being, truth, etc., of something:
a vital error.
of critical importance:
vital decisions.
destructive to life; deadly:
a vital wound.

vital

/ ˈvaɪtəl /

adjective

essential to maintain life
the lungs perform a vital function
forceful, energetic, or lively
a vital person
of, relating to, having, or displaying life
a vital organism
indispensable or essential
books vital to this study
of great importance; decisive
a vital game
archaic.
influencing the course of life, esp negatively
a vital treachery

noun

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
plural the essential elements of anything

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Derived Forms

ˈvitally, adverb

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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

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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 )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of vital¹

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

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Example Sentences

The Amazon plays a vital role in absorbing carbon for the world and providing biodiversity, and many say this deforestation contradicts the very purpose of a climate summit.

From BBC

But the White House hasn't offered any, and instead has withdrawn vital military support to force a Ukrainian compromise.

From BBC

"Starting today, the facility is set to run on backup generators, which will reduce water production capacity. Restoring this connection is vital for tens of thousands of families and children."

From BBC

Rumors become fantastical creations that executives can de-fang by shining a light on them, communicating a willingness to tackle tough topics head-on, and sharing vital information.

From Salon

People affected by leprosy in Nigeria should be able to get hold of vital drugs to treat the disease for the first time in a year from this weekend, the World Health Organization has said.

From BBC

Related Words

vitaceous vital capacity

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