vitalize

American  

[vahyt-l-ahyz] / ˈvaɪt lˌaɪz /

especially British, vitalise

verb (used with object)

vitalized, vitalizing

1. to give life to; make vital.

2. to give vitality or vigor to; animate.

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vitalize British  

/ ˈvaɪtəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to make vital, living, or alive; endow with life or vigour

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Other Word Forms

• hypervitalization
  noun
• hypervitalize
  verb (used with object)
• nonvitalized
  adjective
• subvitalization
  noun
• subvitalized
  adjective
• undervitalized
  adjective
• unvitalized
  adjective
• unvitalizing
  adjective
• vitalization
  noun
• vitalizer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of vitalize

First recorded in 1670–80; vital + -ize

Explanation

To vitalize is to enliven or excite. There's nothing like a good night's sleep to vitalize a tired child. You can use the verb vitalize to describe what happens when you become energized or perked up: "My tai chi class isn't great exercise, but it does vitalize me." A much more common, and related, word is revitalize. For some reason, vitalize is rarely used, although it's much older, first used in the 1670's, while revitalize didn't come into use until 1858 — almost two hundred years later.

Example Sentences

Serta's Perfect Night Vitalize comes with computer-controlled air cells that automatically adjust firmness no matter what position you're in.

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• enliven
• invigorate
• juice up
• stimulate