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Definition of vital

vital

/ˈvaɪ.təl/
vi · tal

Adverb:vitally
•
Plural:vitals
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vital Lexical Profile

vital Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Absolutely necessary or essential for the success, continuation, or existence of something.

Example

"Clear communication is vital for the success of any collaborative research project."


2

Relating to, characteristic of, or necessary for the maintenance of biological life.

Example

"Paramedics immediately checked the patient's vital signs to assess his condition."


3

Full of energy, vigor, and liveliness; vibrant.

Example

"Even in her eighties, the artist remained a vital and active presence in the local community."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

A person's clinical vital signs, such as body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure (usually used in the plural).

Example

"The nurse recorded the patient's vitals before the doctor entered the examination room."


2

The bodily organs that are essential for maintaining life, such as the heart, lungs, liver, and brain (usually used in the plural).

Example

"The thick winter coat protected his vitals from the freezing mountain winds."

• Rhymes for vital

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French vital, from Latin vitalis ('of or belonging to life'), derived from vita ('life').

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Vital. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/vital
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