viva

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

/ ˈvi və; Italian ˈvi vɑ; Spanish ˈbi vɑ /

interjection

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

noun

a shout of “viva.”

Words nearby viva

vituperate, vituperation, vituperative, vitória, vitória de conquista, viva, viva voce, vivace, vivacious, vivacity, vivaldi

Origin of viva

1665–75; literally: may (he) live! 3rd person singular present subjunctive of Italian vivere, Spanish vivir ≪ Latin vīvere to live; see vital

Definition 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for viva

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

Taco Bell, ‘Viva Young’ This makes us feel a lot better about getting old.
The 15 Best Super Bowl 2013 Commercials (VIDEO)|Nina Strochlic|February 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"Thank you," said Viva, rising and walking to the edge of the broad terrace.
What Diantha Did|Charlotte Perkins Gilman
In an evil hour, a foolish priest dared to break it by the cry of Viva Pio Nono!
At Home And Abroad|Margaret Fuller Ossoli
The rest of the officers of the company were elected, viva voce, every time there was a fire.
A Boy I Knew and Four Dogs|Laurence Hutton
This contest of our cooks has delighted them, and they shouted a viva to the conqueror.
The Daughter of an Empress|Louise Muhlbach
When Agnes appeared, enthusiastic cries were heard: "Viva Jes!"
Agnes of Sorrento|Harriet Beecher Stowe

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