vital
Absolutely essential; or full of energy and life.
Word facts
Definition
Vital means absolutely necessary or essential — so important that things cannot function without it. It also describes something full of energy and life.
Usage: Vital is stronger than important. Essential and crucial are close synonyms. Critical implies that failure to meet the need would have severe consequences.
Example sentences
- 1
Water is vital to all living organisms.
- 2
She plays a vital role in keeping the team organised.
- 3
His vital energy and enthusiasm were contagious.
Word family
From Latin vitalis ('of life'), from vita ('life'). Vital and vitality are both connected to life itself. Something vital is necessary for life.
Vital = vita + -al. Vita means life. Something vital is as necessary as life — you cannot do without it.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the noun form of vital?
Vitality — the state of being energetic and alive. The vitals are the essential organs or signs of life.
What does 'vitally important' mean?
Vitally important means absolutely essential — more emphatic than just 'very important'.