vim

American  

[vim] / vɪm /

noun

1. lively or energetic spirit; enthusiasm; vitality.

   Synonyms:

   dash, energy, pep, vigor

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vim British  

/ vɪm /

noun

1. slang exuberant vigour and energy

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Etymology

Origin of vim

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; from Latin, accusative singular of vīs “energy, force”

Explanation

Vim is energy and enthusiasm. If you've got vim, then you probably pack a little extra oomph in your life! Vim is an odd-looking word, but it stands for a simple concept: being ready for activity, especially vigorous activity. Someone who is always playing sports or going on trips is full of vim. Someone who lies on the couch watching TV all day shows very little vim. This word often appears in the phrase "vim and vigor." If you have vim, you have energy and you're ready to put that energy into all sorts of activities; you're up for anything.

Example Sentences

Victory in Mexico was a boost for Norris, whose best Brazil result was second two years ago, while Piastri, struggling to recover his earlier vim and consistency, was a personal best eighth last year.

From Barron's • Nov. 6, 2025

She ran into the crowd 30 minutes late and sat on the floor until it was her turn, rattling off flash fiction with the fluent vim and vigor of a pharmaceutical commercial’s legal disclaimer.

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2023

Winn’s exquisite pacing lives in her syntax as much as her plot, giving vim and vigor to every line.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2023

Of course they never will, but Biden works a crowd with a vim and vigor I haven't seen since Bill Clinton.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2022

I made sure to come home all vim and vigor, never complaining about the customers’ behavior or about my feet hurting from standing all day.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu