vitality
Americannoun
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exuberant physical strength or mental vigor.
a person of great vitality.
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capacity for survival or for the continuation of a meaningful or purposeful existence.
the vitality of an institution.
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power to live or grow.
the vitality of a language.
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vital force or principle.
noun
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physical or mental vigour, energy, etc
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the power or ability to continue in existence, live, or grow
the vitality of a movement
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a less common name for vital force
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of vitality
First recorded in 1585–95; from Latin vītālitās, from vītāli(s) vital + -tās -ty 2
Explanation
Are you full of life? Vigorous and energetic? Lucky you. You have vitality, the state of being strong and in great health. Vitality also has the general meaning of "life force," as in the mysterious power that separates the living from the dead. The phrase "vital organs" comes from vitality, meaning a person's inner organs most essential to life. Abstract things can also have vitality, as in "the vitality of the state" or the vitality of Broadway Theater."
Vocabulary lists containing vitality
"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
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Grade 9, List 5
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "V"
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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.
“It’s very important to the vitality of the local community.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
When we move forward, in body, behavior and thought, vitality follows.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026
In quarterly earnings calls, big bank critics like JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon seemed to walk back External link their past cautions on private credit’s vitality.
From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026
Jury chair Alex Farquharson said the shortlisted works offered "a compelling reflection of the breadth and vitality of contemporary British art".
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
“I’m setting the record straight about my, er, vitality this afternoon, but after all you’ve been through I wanted you to hear the news directly from me first.”
From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
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.
