Added 7 October 2026
vital
/ˈvaɪtəl/ adjective
In Latin: vītālis Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about vital at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
Relating to or characteristic of life.
vital energies; vital functions; vital actions
-
Necessary to the continuation of life; being the seat of life; being that on which life depends.
The brain is a vital organ.
- Invigorating or life-giving.
Origin
From Middle English vital, from Old French vital, from Latin vītālis (“of life, life-giving”), from vīta (“life”), from vīvō (“to live”). Doublet of jiva and quick.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)