viva

[ vee-vuh; Italian, Spanish vee-vah ]

/ ˈvi və; Italian, Spanish ˈvi vɑ /

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interjection

Italian, Spanish. (an exclamation of acclaim or approval): Viva Zapata!

noun

a shout of “viva.”

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of viva

First recorded in 1665–75; literally: “may (he) live!” third person singular present subjunctive of Italian vivere, Spanish vivir, ultimately from Latin vīvere “to live”; see vital

Words nearby viva

Vittorio, vituline, vituperate, vituperation, vituperative, viva, vivace, vivacious, vivacity, Vivaldi, Vivaldi, Antonio

Other definitions for viva (2 of 2)

viva²

[ vahy-vuh ]

/ ˈvaɪ və /

noun

(in British and European universities) an oral examination; viva voce.

Origin of viva

First recorded in 1890–95; shortened form

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use viva in a sentence

The inmates of FX consider Viva to be effete, soft and unserious.
My Week At An Austrian Fat Camp|Owen Matthews|October 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Viva, for their part, consider FXers to be poor and fanatical.
My Week At An Austrian Fat Camp|Owen Matthews|October 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Conditions at the neighboring camp—back to Colditz again—are the subject of lively dinner-table speculation at both FX and Viva.
My Week At An Austrian Fat Camp|Owen Matthews|October 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It will also be the first video Corbijn has directed since 2008, when he made “Viva la Vida” with Coldplay.
Exclusive: Arcade Fire to Debut New Music Video for ‘Reflektor’ on Monday|Andrew Romano|September 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Revelers took to the streets in the national capital to chant “Viva el Papa!”
The New Pope Is an Advocate for the Poor|Mac Margolis|March 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He believed in the value of viva voce discussion, and discouraged all unnecessary inter-departmental correspondence.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
Here, too, elections were held viva voce under the beeches, at the foot of the wooded spur now known as Imboden Hill.
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine|John Fox, Jr.
When all had refreshed themselves with a glass of that strengthening cordial, a unanimous and solemn cry of "Viva l'Italia!"
Rule of the Monk|Giuseppe Garibaldi
The controversy of the vis viva was what was the proper definition of the measure of force.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill
In the debate of the vis viva, it was assumed that in the mutual action of bodies the whole effect of the force is unchanged.
A System of Logic: Ratiocinative and Inductive|John Stuart Mill

British Dictionary definitions for viva (1 of 2)

viva¹

/ (ˈviːvə) /

interjection

long live; up with (a specified person or thing)

Word Origin for viva

C17: from Italian, literally: may (he) live! from vivere to live, from Latin vīvere

British Dictionary definitions for viva (2 of 2)

viva²

/ (ˈvaɪvə) British /

noun

an oral examination

verb -vas, -vaing or -vaed (tr)

to examine orally

Word Origin for viva

shortened from viva voce

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012