vital

adjective

vi·​tal ˈvī-tᵊl 

1

a

: of the utmost importance

a vital clue

vital resources

b

: fundamentally concerned with or affecting life or living beings: such as

(1)

: tending to renew or refresh the living : invigorating

(2)

: destructive to life : mortal

2

a

: concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life

vital organs

blood and other vital fluids

b

: existing as a manifestation of life

3

: full of life and vigor : animated

4

: characteristic of life or living beings

5

: recording data relating to lives

6

: of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues

vitally

ˈvī-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms

• dynamic
• energetic
• flush
• gingery
• lusty
• peppy
• red-blooded
• robust
• vigorous

Choose the Right Synonym for vital

essential, fundamental, vital, cardinal mean so important as to be indispensable.

essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

conflict is essential in drama

fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

Examples of vital in a Sentence

These matters are vital to national defense.

The sciences are a vital part of the school curriculum.

your heart, lungs, and other vital organs

Exercise keeps her young and vital.

Recent Examples on the Web

Under the strategic direction of Soleimani, the IRGC’s Quds Force, along with Iraqi Shiite armed groups, began constructing a vital land bridge to transport supplies, weapons, and personnel from Iran and Iraq into Syria. —Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024

Upcoming: November 12th – Wild Hope, Wildlife Corridors, and Citizen Science Learn how citizen scientists and experts are working together to identify and protect vital wildlife corridors, and how you can get involved in conservation efforts. —Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024

Subscribe to Axios Latino to get vital news about U.S. Latinos and Latin America. —Astrid Galván, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

The View cohost and Oscar-winning actress delivered a vital message of information to Americans heading to the polls on Tuesday morning, capping a historic political cycle with a pearl of wisdom for those trapped in long lines at their local voting places. —EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin vitalis of life, from vita life; akin to Latin vivere to live — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing vital

• élan vital
• vital capacity
• vital signs
• vital statistics

Kids Definition

vital

adjective

vi·​tal ˈvīt-ᵊl 

1

: concerned with or necessary to the continuation of life

the heart and lungs are vital organs

2

: full of vitality : animated

3

: characteristic of life or of living things

vital activities

4

: destructive of life : fatal

a vital wound

5

: of first importance

a vital clue

vitally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

Etymology

Middle English vital "alive, full of life, relating to life," from Latin vitalis "of life," from vita "life"

Medical Definition

vital

adjective

vi·​tal ˈvīt-ᵊl 

1

a

: existing as a manifestation of life

b

: concerned with or necessary to the maintenance of life

vital organs

blood and other vital fluids

2

: characteristic of life or living beings

vital activities

3

: recording data relating to lives

vital records

4

: of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues

vitally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb