vital

The word “vital” means absolutely necessary; essential to success or survival. In plain terms, either essential/critically important, or literally connected to keeping someone alive.

“Vital” is pronounced VEYE-tuhl (/ˈvaɪtəl/ in IPA).

Here is “vital” used in a sentence: “Clean water is vital for public health.”

The opposite of “vital” — its antonyms — is mortal.

“Vital” is an adjective.

The word “vital” comes from Latin. From Latin vitalis, "of life, life-giving," from vita, "life.".

“Vital” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Vital” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: absolutely necessary; essential to success or survival.

Both mean absolutely necessary, and in most sentences they are interchangeable. Vital is often slightly stronger and more urgent, reflecting its connection to life itself, as in "vital organs." Essential is the more neutral, all-purpose choice, as in "essential supplies" or "essential reading."

Vital signs are the basic body measurements that show a person is alive and how well the body is functioning, chiefly pulse, breathing rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. The phrase uses vital in its sense of relating to or necessary for staying alive. Medical staff check vital signs to monitor a patient's condition.

After "it is vital that," formal English often uses the subjunctive mood, which takes the base form of the verb: "it is vital that she attend," "it is vital that he be informed." This pattern is standard in formal and American usage, while British English also accepts "should": "it is vital that he should be informed."

Vital most often pairs with role, importance, part, information, and interest: "the charity plays a vital role." In the medical or biological sense it pairs with organs, signs, and functions. The phrase "absolutely vital" is common in speech for emphasis.