vital Hear it!

vital Definition

vi·tal (vīt′'l)

adjective

  1. of, concerned with, or manifesting life vital energy
    1. necessary or essential to life; being a source or support of life vital organs
    2. affecting, esp. destroying, life; critical, esp. fatal a vital wound
    1. essential to the existence or continuance of something; indispensable a vital function
    2. 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

Etymology: ME < MFr < L vitalis, vital < vita, life, akin to vivere, to live: see bio-

noun

  1. the vital organs, as the heart, brain, lungs, etc.
  2. the essential parts of anything, indispensable for its existence, continuance, etc.

vital Related Forms
vi′·tally adverb
vital Synonyms

vital

modif.

  1. Necessary

    essential, contribute, indispensable, requisite; see important 1, necessary 1.

  2. Alive

    live, animate, animated; see alive 1.

  3. Vigorous

    lively, energetic, lusty; see active 1, 2. See syn. study at alive.

vital Usage Examples

Preposition: that

  • everyone: It is vital that everyone is made aware of the elections and have the opportunity to nominate.

Modifies a noun

  • role: Key Stage Three | Key Stage Four | Key Stage Five | General Music plays a vital role in the life of the School.
  • importance: Many of our studies are of vital importance to the nation.
  • ingredient: Those vital ingredients plays a large role in term of... .. .
  • organ: Radiological examination: X-rays to detect any broken bones or damage to vital organs.
  • component: A school uniform can also be a vital component of a strong school ethos.
  • contribution: The latter also made a vital contribution in the various African campaigns.

Modifying Another Word

  • absolutely: In fact, SEO is absolutely vital to your search engine marketing success.

Preposition: because

  • dump: It is so vital because the dump will take 2 years to build according to a former employe of Veolia.

Infinitive complement

  • ensure: Confidence for consumers All these stages are vital to ensure the consumer receives the amount of fuel for which they are charged.
  • understand: It is vital to understand the real differences of experience within Britain's black communities.
  • protect: But the government of Qatar says it is vital to protect freedom of speech and will not bow to pressure.
  • keep: It is vital to keep in mind that dogs do not have the capacity to intercept human language, behavior or emotions.
  • maintain: Keeping an adequate intake of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals is vital to maintain the immune system and prevent illness.

Used with adjective complement

  • prove: Put simply, Quaker networks proved vital to the pursuit of Quaker commerce.
  • remain: If we may learn something new from them, they remain vital to us.
  • consider: Consequently, the prioritizing of sign language training by management, including time released from duties to learn, was considered vital.
  • deem: Language skills are deemed vital, necessary for economic and industrial success; and yet modern languages are no longer compulsory at GCSE.

Preposition: for

  • wellbeing: An efficient transport system is vital for economic wellbeing and the quality of life.
  • success: Within the business world intercultural communication is vital for success.
vital Quotes

No matter how vital experiencemight be whileyou lived it, no sooner was it ended and dead than it became as lifeless as the piles of dry dust in a school history book.

—Glasgow, Ellen Anderson Gholson