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Meaning & use

vitality

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/vaɪˈtælɪti/
US/vaɪˈtæləti/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    A strong, lively energy in a person, shown by good health and enthusiasm.

    Grammar: Used without a: she has great vitality.

    Patterns

    • full of vitality
    • vitality in old age

    Despite being eighty, she walks to work with remarkable vitality.

    Regular exercise gives you more vitality throughout the day.

    The young dancers brought fresh vitality to the stage.

  2. noununcountable

    The lively, growing quality of a place, organization, idea or culture that shows it is thriving.

    Grammar: Often followed by of: the vitality of the town center.

    Patterns

    • the vitality of something
    • restore vitality to something

    New cafes and markets restored vitality to the old downtown.

    The vitality of the language is clear from how fast it changes.

    The economy showed signs of renewed vitality.

  3. noununcountablebiologytechnical

    The ability of a living thing, such as a seed, to survive and develop.

    Grammar: Used in biology and gardening.

    Patterns

    • the vitality of seeds

    Old seeds lose their vitality over time.

    Farmers test the vitality of the grain before sowing.

    The plant's vitality was clear from its thick new shoots.

Common combinations

full of vitality
The grandmother is full of vitality.
youthful vitality
The team plays with youthful vitality.
economic vitality
The new factory boosted the town's economic vitality.
lack vitality
The speech seemed to lack vitality.
restore vitality
A week of rest helped restore his vitality.

Synonyms and how they differ

energy
Energy is the plain word for the power to be active, while vitality includes a sense of health and liveliness.
vigor
Vigor stresses strength and force, while vitality stresses liveliness and life.
liveliness
Liveliness describes how spirited something is, but vitality suggests deeper, lasting energy.
stamina
Stamina is the ability to keep going for a long time, while vitality is general liveliness.

Opposites

lethargyweaknessapathy

Word family

vital adjective
essential, or full of life
vitally adverb
in a way that is essential
vitalize verb
to give life or energy to
revitalize verb
to bring new life to

Commonly confused: vitality or vitamin?

vitality vs vitamin

A vitamin is a nutrient needed in small amounts, while vitality is overall liveliness. Vitamins may support vitality but are not the same thing.

Practice

New shops and parks have brought fresh ____ to the old neighborhood.

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