vital

adjective

VY-tuhl/ˈvaɪtəl/

9 meanings of vital

1
adjective
Extremely important and needed for something to work or succeed.
Like the key part of a machine: without it, nothing works.
Getting enough sleep is vital for your health.
The witness gave vital information that helped solve the case.
Similaressential, crucial, critical, key, necessary
Oppositeunimportant, unnecessary, inessential, trivial
Note
2
adjective
Needed for something to keep going or stay alive.
Like the roots of a tree: cut them and the tree cannot live.
Bees are vital to the survival of many plants.
Steady funding is vital if the small library is to stay open.
Similaressential, necessary, crucial, indispensable, critical
Oppositeunnecessary, inessential, dispensable
3
adjective
Needed to keep a living thing alive, like the heart or lungs.
Like the engine of a car: without it, nothing runs.
The heart is a vital organ.
Doctors worked quickly to protect her vital organs after the crash.
Similarcritical, essential
Note
4
adjective
Having to do with life or living things.
Like the spark that makes something come alive.
Scientists study the vital processes that take place inside cells.
Breathing and digestion are vital functions of the body.
Note
5
adjective
Full of energy and life.
Like a young plant bursting with new green leaves.
She gave a vital, energetic performance on stage.
The old town still feels vital and full of life.
Similarlively, energetic, vibrant, dynamic, spirited
Oppositelifeless, listless, dull, lethargic
6
adjective
Giving energy or life and making you feel fresh and strong.
Like a deep breath of fresh air after a long day indoors.
The vital mountain air made the hikers feel new again.
A vital breeze swept down through the valley.
Similarlife-giving, invigorating, refreshing
7
adjective
Having to do with official records of births, marriages, and deaths.
Like a big record book that holds every birth and death in a town.
You can request your birth certificate from the vital records office.
Vital statistics show that the town's population is growing.
Note
8
adjective
Able to live or stay alive.
Like a seed that still has life in it and can grow.
The doctors confirmed that the newborn was vital and healthy.
Only the vital seeds will sprout in the spring.
Similarviable
Note
9
adjective
Having life inside and alive rather than dead.
Like a green leaf that is still alive, not dried and dead.
The scientists searched for vital matter in the soil samples.
Every vital cell in the leaf was still working.
Similaralive, living, live, animate, lively
Oppositeinert, lifeless, dead, inanimate
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of vital apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Latin vita, meaning "life."