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/ˈvaɪtəl/
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Essential enough to sustain success, safety, or life itself, with further uses for lively energy, body signs, central organs, and an older fatal sense.
Examples The study measured the swimmers' vital capacity.
The monitor tracks vital signs through the night.
Early diagnosis can be vital in treating the disease.
The heart and lungs are vital organs.
The bridge is a vital link between the villages.
Similar words key
fundamental
dynamic
energetic
crucial
necessary
lively
life-threatening
life-related
center
Meanings Examples Reliable water is vital to the town.
It is vital that the evidence stays secure.
The bridge is a vital link between the villages.
Early diagnosis can be vital in treating the disease.
Clear instructions are vital for safety.
Similar words essential
indispensable
critical
crucial
necessary
fundamental
key
Examples The heart and lungs are vital organs.
The monitor tracks vital signs through the night.
Breathing is a vital function.
The study measured the swimmers' vital capacity.
Birth certificates are kept with other vital records.
Similar words biological
physiological
living
organic life-related
life-sustaining
Examples Even in old age, she remained vital and curious.
The essay has a vital urgency.
Their performance felt vital from the first note.
A vital culture keeps renewing itself.
He brought a vital energy to the room.
Similar words lively
energetic
vigorous vibrant
animated
dynamic
spirited
Examples The nurse checked his vitals every hour.
The fall bruised him near the vitals .
The paramedic radioed the patient's vitals to the hospital.
The article attacked the policy at its vitals .
Her vitals were stable after surgery.
Similar words vital organs
vital signs
essentials
core heart
center
innards
Examples The old report called the stab a vital wound.
The duel ended after a vital thrust.
The surgeon feared a vital injury to the abdomen.
In the chronicle, a vital blow felled the prince.
Older medical writers used vital for a fatal wound.
Similar words fatal
mortal
deadly
lethal
life-threatening
Etymology From Middle English vital , from Old French and Latin vitalis , meaning of life, from vita , life, and related to vivere , to live.
FAQ What does vital usually mean?
vital usually means essential, necessary, or too important to lose.
Is vital stronger than important ?
Yes. vital suggests that something is needed for survival, success, or continued operation.
vital organs are organs such as the heart, lungs, or brain that are needed to stay alive.
What are vitals in medicine?
vitals usually means vital signs, such as pulse, blood pressure, breathing rate, and temperature.
Can vital mean energetic?
Yes. In formal style, a vital person, culture, or performance is full of life and force.
Yes, but that use is archaic or literary, as in vital wound meaning mortal wound.
What prepositions follow vital ?
vital to and vital for are both common, depending on the phrase.
Current English usually says a vital sign or uses the plural vitals , not a vital .
What is the origin of vital ?
vital comes from Latin vitalis , of life, from vita , life.
What are good synonyms for vital ?
Common synonyms include essential , indispensable , critical , and crucial .
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