vital

/ˈvaɪdl/

/ˈvaɪtəl/

A patient's vital signs are their important body functions, such as pulse rate, that shows they are still alive. Use the adjective vital to describe something that is important and necessary, or a person full of energy.

Vital descends from Middle English, from Old French, from Latin vītālis, from vīta, "life." If you are vital to the organization you work for, it means they cannot live without you — or at least that you're an important part of the team. If you're a vital force in your church volunteer group, you probably are a leader with lots of energy to give.

Definitions of vital

1. adjective

   performing an essential function in the living body
   “vital organs”

   “blood and other vital fluids”

   “the loss of vital heat in shock”

   “a vital spot”

   synonyms: life-sustaining

   essential

   basic and fundamental
2. adjective

   manifesting or characteristic of life
   “a vital, living organism”

   “vital signs”

   synonyms:

   alive, live

   possessing life
3. adjective

   full of spirit
   “a vital and charismatic leader”

   synonyms: full of life, lively

   alive, animated

   having life or vigor or spirit
4. adjective

   urgently needed; absolutely necessary
   “vital for a healthy society”

   “of vital interest”

   synonyms: critical

   indispensable

   not to be dispensed with; essential