vitamin
VIHT-uh-mihn
Vitamin (noun) means one of a group of natural compounds the body needs in small amounts to grow, function, and stay healthy. Example: “Doctors often advise pregnant women to take a vitamin supplement every day.”
noun
1
One of a group of natural compounds the body needs in small amounts to grow, function, and stay healthy.
"Doctors often advise pregnant women to take a vitamin supplement every day."
"Citrus fruit is a good source of vitamin C."
"A lack of vitamin D can weaken your bones."
How to use vitamin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA nutrient your body needs in tiny amounts to stay healthy.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
vitamin deficiency
vitamin supplement
vitamin C
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Word forms
- Plural
- vitamins
- Third person singular
- vitamins
- Past tense
- vitamined
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Doctors often advise pregnant women to take a _____ supplement every day.
Etymology
Coined around 1912 as "vitamine" by biochemist Casimir Funk, from Latin vita ("life") + amine, since the first such compound found contained an amine group. British scientist Jack Drummond dropped the final "e" in 1920 once it became clear not all vitamins were amines.
Rhymes for vitamin
See all rhymes for vitamin →Frequently asked questions
What does “vitamin” mean?
The word “vitamin” means one of a group of natural compounds the body needs in small amounts to grow, function, and stay healthy. In plain terms, a nutrient your body needs in tiny amounts to stay healthy.
How do you pronounce “vitamin”?
“Vitamin” is pronounced VIHT-uh-mihn (/ˈvaɪ.tə.mɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “vitamin” in a sentence?
Here is “vitamin” used in a sentence: “Citrus fruit is a good source of vitamin C.”
What part of speech is “vitamin”?
“Vitamin” is a noun.
Where does the word “vitamin” come from?
The word “vitamin” dates back to around 1912 and comes from Latin.
Is “vitamin” a common word?
“Vitamin” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between vitamins and minerals?
Vitamins are organic compounds, made by plants and animals, that the body needs in small amounts to grow, function, and stay healthy. Minerals, such as iron and calcium, are inorganic elements that originate in soil and water. Both are essential nutrients needed only in small quantities, which is why they are grouped together as micronutrients.
What is the difference between a vitamin and a supplement?
A vitamin is a nutrient itself: a natural compound the body needs in small amounts. A supplement is a product, such as a tablet or capsule, taken to add nutrients to the diet, and it may contain vitamins, minerals, or other substances. So vitamin C is a vitamin, while a vitamin C tablet is a supplement.
Can the body make its own vitamins?
Mostly no. The body cannot produce most vitamins in sufficient amounts, which is why they must come from food; this need for an outside supply is part of what defines a vitamin. A well-known exception is vitamin D, which the skin produces when exposed to sunlight.
Why are vitamins named with letters?
Vitamins were given letters such as A, B, and C as researchers identified them, providing a simple label before each compound's chemistry was fully understood. Some early letters were later dropped or reclassified when the substances turned out not to be distinct vitamins, which is why the sequence has gaps. Numbered subtypes such as B1, B6, and B12 distinguish related compounds within a group.
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