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 stunts have become so vital to the franchise that Cruise and McQuarrie have taken to planning them first, and then figuring out the plot later. —Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 24 May 2025

The microbes perform vital functions like decomposing organic matter, improving water-holding capacity, cycling nutrients, and suppressing pathogens to improve plant resilience and overall soil health. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 May 2025

Tourism is vital to San Diego’s economy and quality of life. —Bob Rauch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025

Thousands of tons of food and other vital supplies are waiting near crossing points into Gaza but until it can be safely distributed, around a quarter of the population remains at risk of famine, Renard said. —Nidal Al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 23 May 2025

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

Rhymes for vital

• title
• entitle
• recital
• subtitle

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