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

The team hoped the animals could particularly help within bringing to the surface vital, fertilizing microorganisms such as endosymbiotic rhizobial bacteria and Mycorrhizal fungi. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024

One of the most, if not the most, vital parts of election night is a famous number: 270. —Fernando Cervantes Jr., The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024

SpaceX has become an increasingly vital partner to NASA and the U.S. Defense Department, with contracts worth billions. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024

Trump Declines to Rule Out Reviving Family Separations During CNN Town Hall At the same time, the state had long been a destination for immigrants of color—Mexican, Filipino, and Japanese, among others—all vital to the agricultural industry that has always drawn foreign workers. —Eladio B. Bobadilla / Made By History, TIME, 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