essential to the existence or continuance of something; indispensable
a vital function
b.
of crucial importance
a vital matter
4.
affecting the validity, truth, etc. of something
a vital error
5.
full of life and vigor; energetic
a vital personality
noun [pl.]
6.
the vital organs, as the heart, brain, lungs, etc.
7.
the essential parts of anything, indispensable for its existence, continuance, etc.
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈliving
Derived forms
vitally (ˈvitally)
adverb
Word origin
ME < MFr < L vitalis, vital < vita, life, akin to vivere, to live: see bio-
Examples of 'vital' in a sentence
vital
We only want to trace them as potential witnesses as they may have vital information for us.
The Sun (2016)
It is vital that network people make sure the technology does what it is supposed to.
Computing (2010)
Always come to this column for really vital information that will change your life.
The Sun (2016)
If this is to be attained the government must acknowledge that the creative industries are of vital importance.
Computing (2010)
The authenticity of the portrayal of Ugandan life is also vital to her.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's important to keep him in place and give vital continuity.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Of course it's vital that lessons are learnt.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They are the vital people we can't do without.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
DECEMBER is a crucial month with so many vital games crammed in.
The Sun (2016)
In the future, apparently, this will be a vital means of getting on.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Though being able to track burglars will give police vital information.
The Sun (2012)
Protein is vital for life since all our cells are made out of protein.
Holford, Patrick The Family Nutrition Workbook (1988)
Who would give a vital organ to a stranger?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The expensive but vital courses in science and engineering will go first.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Those qualities in a partner are obviously of vital importance to you.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
This is another vital element which people so dearly miss through being unemployed.
Ingham, Christine Life Without Work (1994)
So most of the vital questions of our age have now been covered.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We are conscious that it is a vital game.
The Sun (2016)
They are a vital component of maintaining a balanced ecosystem in our oceans.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He is deceitful and has lied to you about something vital.
The Sun (2007)
And for many people such action could be vital just to keep them insured.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The most vital ingredients of this diet are play and language.
Siann, Gerda & Ugwuegbu, Denis C. E. Educational Psychology in a Changing World (1988)
Others suggest his vital match fitness will be shot.
The Sun (2007)
This means it is vital to go through the process of comparing suppliers using your own details.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But they can do more to give vital sectors like manufacturing a fighting chance.
The Sun (2010)
It means the web is now of vital business importance.
The Sun (2014)
Australia have long shown that maximising the cunning of the brain is as vital as brawn in managing at the scrum.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
vital
British English: vital /ˈvaɪtl/ ADJECTIVE
If something is vital, it is necessary or very important.
It is vital that action is taken quickly.
American English: vital
Arabic: حَيَوِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: vital
Chinese: 生死攸关的
Croatian: ključan
Czech: nezbytný
Danish: vital
Dutch: essentieel
European Spanish: vital
Finnish: elintärkeä
French: vital
German: entscheidend
Greek: ζωτικός
Italian: vitale
Japanese: きわめて重大な
Korean: 필수적인
Norwegian: vital
Polish: życiowy
European Portuguese: vital
Romanian: vital
Russian: жизненный
Latin American Spanish: vital
Swedish: livsviktig
Thai: สำคัญมาก
Turkish: hayati
Ukrainian: життєво важливий
Vietnamese: sống còn
All related terms of 'vital'
élan vital
a creative principle held by Henri Bergson to be present in all organisms and responsible for evolution
vital clue
A clue to a problem or mystery is something that helps you to find the answer to it.
vital force
(esp in early biological theory) a hypothetical force, independent of physical and chemical forces, regarded as being the causative factor of the evolution and development of living organisms
vital point
In some sports, competitions , and games, a point is one of the single marks that are added together to give the total score .
vital role
If you have a role in a situation or in society , you have a particular position and function in it.
vital signs
The vital signs of a seriously ill person are the things such as their blood pressure and temperature which show that they are alive.
vital step
A step is one of a series of actions that you take in order to achieve something.
vital task
A task is an activity or piece of work which you have to do, usually as part of a larger project .
vital tool
You can refer to anything that you use for a particular purpose as a particular type of tool .
vital element
The different elements of something are the different parts it contains.
vital organs
organs in the body that are essential to life
vital vitamin
Vitamins are substances that you need in order to remain healthy , which are found in food or can be eaten in the form of pills .
vital capacity
the volume of air that can be exhaled from the lungs after the deepest possible breath has been taken: a measure of lung function
vital component
The components of something are the parts that it is made of.
vital evidence
Evidence is anything that you see, experience, read , or are told that causes you to believe that something is true or has really happened .
vital function
any function of the body that is essential for life
vital nutrient
Nutrients are substances that help plants and animals to grow.
vital question
A question is a problem, matter, or point which needs to be considered.
vital staining
the technique of treating living cells and tissues with dyes that do not immediately kill them, facilitating observation with a microscope
vital contribution
If you make a contribution to something, you do something to help make it successful or to produce it.
vital importance
The importance of something is its quality of being significant , valued, or necessary in a particular situation.
vital statistics
The vital statistics of a population are statistics such as the number of births , deaths, or marriages which take place in it.
Chinese translation of 'vital'
vital
(ˈvaɪtl)
adj
(= essential) 至关(關)重要的 (zhì guān zhòngyào de)
(= full of life)[person]有活力的 (yǒu huólì de)
it is vital to ... /that ... 对(對) ... / ... 是至关(關)重要的 (duì ... / ... shì zhì guān zhòngyào de)
to be of vital importance (to sb/sth)(对(對)某人/某事)极(極)其重要 ((duì mǒurén/mǒushì) jíqí zhòngyào)
vital organs重要器官 (zhòngyào qìguān)
1 (adjective)
Definition
essential or highly important
a blockade which could cut off vital oil and gas supplies
Synonyms
essential
It is absolutely essential that we find this man quickly.
important
an important economic challenge to the government
necessary
Is your journey really necessary?
Please make all the necessary arrangements.
key
basic
shortages of even the most basic foodstuffs
significant
It is the first drug that seems to have a significant effect on this disease.
critical
The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign.
radical
the radical differences between them
crucial (informal)
the most crucial election campaign in years
fundamental
the fundamental principles of democracy
urgent
There is an urgent need for food and water.
decisive
a decisive victory in the elections
cardinal
The cardinal rule is to do everything you can to satisfy the customer.
imperative
It's imperative to know your rights at such a time.
indispensable
She was becoming indispensable to him.
requisite
She filled in the requisite paperwork.
life-or-death
must-have
Opposites
unnecessary
,
trivial
,
unimportant
,
minor
,
dispensable
,
nonessential
,
inessential
2 (adjective)
Definition
energetic or lively
It is tragic to see how the disease has diminished a once vital person.
Synonyms
lively
She had a sweet, lively personality.
vigorous
The choir and orchestra gave a vigorous performance of Haydn's oratorio.
energetic
Two-year-olds can be incredibly energetic.
spirited
He wanted merely to provoke a spirited debate.
dynamic
He seemed a dynamic and energetic leader.
animated
Everyone became more animated.
vibrant
She is well-liked due to her vibrant personality.
forceful
He was a man of forceful character.
sparky
vivacious
a beautiful, vivacious and charming young woman
full of beans (informal)
zestful
full of the joy of living
Opposites
lethargic
,
apathetic
,
listless
3 (adjective)
Definition
necessary to maintain life
Synonyms
living
All things, whether living or dead, are believed to influence each other.
live
they kept a number of live animals in the lab
alive
She is thrilled that her tomato plant is still alive.
animate
the study of animate and inanimate aspects of the natural world
quickening
life-giving
alive and kicking
The secret police may still be alive and kicking.
generative
invigorative
Opposites
dying
,
dead
,
moribund
,
inanimate
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alive
Definition
living
She is thrilled that her tomato plant is still alive.
Synonyms
living,
breathing,
animate,
having life,
subsisting,
existing,
functioning,
alive and kicking,
in the land of the living (informal)
in the sense of alive and kicking
The secret police may still be alive and kicking.
Synonyms
alive,
existing,
functioning,
breathing,
animate,
living,
having life,
subsisting,
in the land of the living (informal)
in the sense of animate
Definition
having life
the study of animate and inanimate aspects of the natural world
Synonyms
living,
live,
moving,
alive,
breathing,
alive and kicking
Synonyms of 'vital'
vital
Explore 'vital' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of animated
Definition
interesting and lively
Everyone became more animated.
Synonyms
lively,
spirited,
quick,
excited,
active,
vital,
dynamic,
enthusiastic,
passionate,
vivid,
vigorous,
energetic,
vibrant,
brisk,
buoyant,
ardent,
airy,
fervent,
zealous,
elated,
ebullient,
sparky,
sprightly,
vivacious,
gay (old-fashioned),
alive and kicking,
full of beans (informal),
zestful
in the sense of basic
Definition
of or forming a base or basis
shortages of even the most basic foodstuffs
Synonyms
vital,
needed,
important,
key,
necessary,
essential,
primary,
crucial (informal),
fundamental,
elementary,
indispensable,
requisite
in the sense of cardinal
Definition
fundamentally important
The cardinal rule is to do everything you can to satisfy the customer.
Synonyms
principal,
first,
highest,
greatest,
leading,
important,
chief,
main,
prime,
central,
key,
essential,
primary,
fundamental,
paramount,
foremost,
pre-eminent
in the sense of critical
Definition
very important or dangerous
The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign.
Synonyms
crucial,
decisive,
momentous,
deciding,
pressing,
serious,
vital,
psychological,
urgent,
all-important,
pivotal,
high-priority,
now or never
in the sense of crucial
Definition
of exceptional importance
the most crucial election campaign in years
Synonyms
vital,
important,
pressing,
essential,
urgent,
momentous,
high-priority
in the sense of decisive
Definition
having great influence on the result of something
a decisive victory in the elections
Synonyms
crucial,
significant,
critical,
final,
positive,
absolute,
influential,
definite,
definitive,
momentous,
conclusive,
fateful
in the sense of dynamic
Definition
relating to a force of society, history, or the mind that produces a change
He seemed a dynamic and energetic leader.
Synonyms
energetic,
spirited,
powerful,
active,
vital,
driving,
electric,
go-ahead,
lively,
magnetic,
vigorous,
animated,
high-powered,
forceful,
go-getting (informal),
tireless,
indefatigable,
high-octane (informal),
zippy (informal),
full of beans (informal)
in the sense of energetic
Definition
having or showing energy and enthusiasm
Two-year-olds can be incredibly energetic.
Synonyms
lively,
spirited,
active,
dynamic,
vigorous,
animated,
brisk,
tireless,
bouncy,
indefatigable,
alive and kicking,
zippy (informal),
full of beans (informal),
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (informal)
in the sense of forceful
Definition
strong, emphatic, and confident
He was a man of forceful character.
Synonyms
dynamic,
powerful,
vigorous,
potent,
assertive
in the sense of fundamental
Definition
essential or primary
the fundamental principles of democracy
Synonyms
central,
first,
most important,
prime,
key,
necessary,
basic,
essential,
primary,
vital,
radical,
principal,
cardinal,
integral,
indispensable,
intrinsic
Additional synonyms
in the sense of imperative
Definition
extremely urgent
It's imperative to know your rights at such a time.
Synonyms
urgent,
essential,
pressing,
vital,
crucial (informal),
compulsory,
indispensable,
obligatory,
exigent
in the sense of important
Definition
of great significance, value, or consequence
an important economic challenge to the government
Synonyms
significant,
critical,
substantial,
grave,
urgent,
serious,
material,
signal,
primary,
meaningful,
far-reaching,
momentous,
seminal,
weighty,
of substance,
salient,
noteworthy
in the sense of indispensable
Definition
absolutely necessary
She was becoming indispensable to him.
Synonyms
essential,
necessary,
needed,
key,
vital,
crucial (informal),
imperative,
requisite,
needful,
must-have
in the sense of live
Definition
alive
they kept a number of live animals in the lab
Synonyms
living,
alive,
breathing,
animate,
existent,
vital,
quick (archaic)
in the sense of necessary
Definition
needed in order to obtain the desired result
Is your journey really necessary?Please make all the necessary arrangements.
Synonyms
needed,
demanded,
required,
called for,
essential,
vital,
compulsory,
incumbent (formal),
mandatory,
imperative,
indispensable,
obligatory,
requisite,
de rigueur,
of the essence,
needful,
must-have
in the sense of radical
Definition
searching or thorough
the radical differences between them
Synonyms
fundamental,
natural,
basic,
essential,
native,
constitutional,
organic,
profound,
innate,
deep-seated,
thoroughgoing,
hard-wired
in the sense of requisite
Definition
absolutely essential
She filled in the requisite paperwork.
Synonyms
necessary,
needed,
required,
called for,
essential,
vital,
mandatory,
indispensable,
obligatory,
prerequisite,
needful
in the sense of significant
Definition
very important
It is the first drug that seems to have a significant effect on this disease.
Synonyms
important,
marked,
notable,
striking,
serious,
material,
vital,
critical,
considerable,
impressive,
pronounced,
conspicuous,
momentous,
weighty,
noteworthy
in the sense of spirited
Definition
showing liveliness or courage
He wanted merely to provoke a spirited debate.
Synonyms
lively,
vigorous,
energetic,
animated,
game,
active,
bold,
sparkling,
have-a-go (informal),
courageous,
ardent,
feisty (informal),
plucky,
high-spirited,
sprightly,
vivacious,
spunky (informal),
mettlesome,
(as) game as Ned Kelly (Australian, slang)
in the sense of urgent
Definition
requiring speedy action or attention
There is an urgent need for food and water.
Synonyms
crucial (informal),
desperate,
pressing,
great,
important,
crying,
critical,
immediate,
acute,
grave,
instant,
compelling,
imperative,
top-priority,
now or never,
exigent,
not to be delayed
Additional synonyms
in the sense of vibrant
Definition
full of energy and enthusiasm
She is well-liked due to her vibrant personality.
Synonyms
energetic,
dynamic,
sparkling,
vivid,
spirited,
storming,
alive,
sensitive,
colourful,
vigorous,
animated,
responsive,
electrifying,
vivacious,
full of pep (informal)
in the sense of vigorous
Definition
having physical or mental energy
The choir and orchestra gave a vigorous performance of Haydn's oratorio.