vie
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
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Archaic. to put forward in competition or rivalry.
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Obsolete. to stake in card playing.
verb
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(intr; foll by with or for) to contend for superiority or victory (with) or strive in competition (for)
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archaic (tr) to offer, exchange, or display in rivalry
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has viedperfect 3rd person singular
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have viedperfect
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have been vyingperfect progressive
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are vyingprogressive
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vyingparticiple
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is vyingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am vyingprogressive 1st person singular
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viessingular 3rd person
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has been vyingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had viedperfect
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had been vyingperfect progressive
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was vyingprogressive singular
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viedparticiple
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were vyingprogressive plural
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viedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of vie
First recorded in 1525–35; by shortening of Middle French envier “to raise the stake (at cards),” Old French: “to challenge, provoke,” from Latin invītāre “to entertain, treat, invite”
Explanation
To vie for something means to compete for it. Two teams may vie for the gold medal, but one will have to go home with silver. Vie may be spelled the same as the French word, vie, but they are pronounced differently, vī and vē respectively, and are not related in meaning or history. English vie comes from the Latin verb meaning "to invite" as in to invite a challenge. Be careful of the spelling which includes an ie to y shift. “He intends to vie for the top prize,” but “He is vying for the top prize.”
Vocabulary lists containing vie
This Week In Words: January 4–10, 2020
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Beowulf
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Essential Three-Letter Words, Part 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the May 13, 2026, print edition as 'Trump, Xi Vie for Wins at Summit'.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
To separate her business from the scam, Deanna spent days researching the fake C'est La Vie business and redesigned her whole website to make the difference clear to customers.
From BBC • Oct. 10, 2025
The caption simply stated the date — “9.27.25” — flanked by white heart emojis and audio of “La Vie En Rose” overlaying the display.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2025
Vie, which was founded in February, aims to secure $75 million in a first closing of the fund by year-end, said St. Peter, who is managing director of the firm.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 9, 2025
So that I shall indeed be "very pleased" to receive the "Swann" and the "Vie et l'Amour" from you at your entire convenience.
From The Letters of Henry James, Vol. II by James, Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
