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

Derived Forms

• ˈvitally, adverb

Other Words From

• vital·ly adverb
• vital·ness noun
• non·vital adjective
• non·vital·ly adverb
• non·vital·ness noun
• quasi-vital adjective
• quasi-vital·ly adverb
• super·vital adjective
• super·vital·ly adverb
• super·vital·ness noun
• un·vital adjective
• un·vital·ly adverb
• un·vital·ness 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

All of them know how vital it is to have a top quarterback, like Rivera and Hurney had with Newton in Carolina and Mayhew had with Stafford when he was the Lions’ general manager.

From Washington Post

The tests could be vital tools in the country’s fight against the virus — especially in the months before most Americans are vaccinated.

From Washington Post

Sand dredging is vital for construction because it’s an essential ingredient in concrete.

From Ozy

Utilizing outdoor space is vital in order to keep everyone safe and to ensure that state regulations are abided by.

From Popular-Science

It’s vital to respect it, to be humble in the face of it, and to start adjusting to the democratization of the markets.

From Time

In the classic skillset of piloting, mental acuity, and its coordination with hand and foot movements, is equally vital.

From The Daily Beast

His ups and downs professionally outside of the World Cup are a vital a part of his story in the book.

From The Daily Beast

Vital Voices in 2013 took over funds from the Women In The World foundation which originated at The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

Some organizations, like amfAR, provide vital funding for scientists who bring innovative ideas to the HIV/AIDS research field.

From The Daily Beast

“The influence of the oak maturation casks on the final character of The Macallan is vital,” says MacPherson.

From The Daily Beast

To make the effort of articulation a vital impulse in response to a mental concept,—this is the object sought.

From Project Gutenberg

But this theory of a merciful, and loving Heavenly Father is vital to the Christian religion.

From Project Gutenberg

According to Metchnikoff, this property of leukocytes resides entirely within themselves, depending upon their own vital activity.

From Project Gutenberg

If the hunter venture to come close to such a monster, and his dagger fail to pierce the vital spot, there is no help for him.

From Project Gutenberg

These lofty strategical questions must not make me forget an equally vital munitions message just to hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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