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
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
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Beowulf
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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.
Aging parents can bring out the worst in adult children, who vie for control of their parents’ attention, their love and their finances.
From MarketWatch • May 25, 2026
While still not announcing he has kickstarted the formal leadership challenge process, Streeting confirmed Saturday he will vie to replace Starmer and become the centre-left Labour's new leader.
From Barron's • May 16, 2026
Shoaib Bashir is named in the squad despite being ignored for the entire Ashes series and will vie for the spinner's spot with Rehan Ahmed.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
Whenever he shoots a self-tape to vie for a part, he asks for feedback from both of his teams, the one back home and their stateside counterparts, to make an informed decision.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
No longer did they vie with each other to give her gifts.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
