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

Other Word Forms

• vitally adverb
• vitalness noun
• nonvital adjective
• nonvitally adverb
• nonvitalness noun
• quasi-vital adjective
• quasi-vitally adverb
• supervital adjective
• supervitally adverb
• supervitalness noun
• unvital adjective
• unvitally adverb
• unvitalness 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 Bolivia, fires affected over 9% of the country's remaining intact forest cover, which is a dramatic blow to a region that has historically served as a vital biodiversity reservoir and carbon sink.

From Science Daily

His planned 2026 budget was due to include vital financial aid to the territory after heavy damage caused by riots last year.

From BBC

They were 200,000 miles above the Earth and closing in on their target when they needed to stir tanks containing vital oxygen and hydrogen.

From BBC

"These fungi are vital indicators of the health of our grasslands and highlight the biodiversity that exists around us in our towns, as well as our countryside," she said.

From BBC

"It's vital we protect trade flows between the UK and EU and we will work with our closest allies to address global challenges rather than adding to our industries' woes", Industry Minister Chris McDonald said.

From BBC

Related Words

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