viva

¹ American  

[vee-vuh, vee-vah] / ˈvi və, ˈvi vɑ /

interjection

1. Italian, Spanish. (an exclamation of acclaim or approval).

   Viva Zapata!

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noun

1. a shout of “viva.”

viva ² American  

[vahy-vuh] / ˈvaɪ və /

noun

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

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viva ¹ British  

/ ˈvaɪvə /

noun

1. an oral examination

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verb

1. to examine orally

viva ² British  

/ ˈviːvə /

interjection

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

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Etymology

Origin of viva¹

First recorded in 1665–75; literally: “may (he) live!” 3rd-person singular present subjunctive of Italian vivere, Spanish vivir, ultimately from Latin vīvere “to live”; vital

Origin of viva²

First recorded in 1890–95; shortened form

Example Sentences

They both smiled, and Wright said in Spanish: “Que viva Venezuela y viva los Estados Unidos.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

En estos días, son los inmigrantes quienes mantienen viva la esperanza.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2023

The Bayern Leverkusen forward condemned security forces in an Instagram story, saying: "Shame on you for easily killing the people and viva women of Iran. Long live Iranian women!"

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2022

Per the viva voce system, a practice with roots in Ancient Greece, eligible voters would call out the names of their preferred candidates to a government clerk, who registered votes in a pollbook.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 5, 2018

“Que viva Snuffy !” And when he sat down, Onofre stared fixedly ahead, lips trembling—for he had spoken.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols