vitamin

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   One of a group of natural substances in food that the body needs in very small amounts to work properly and stay healthy.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say a vitamin, vitamins, or vitamin C.

   Patterns

   • vitamin A/B/C/D/E/K
   • take a vitamin
   • be rich in vitamins
   • a lack of vitamins

   Oranges are full of vitamin C.

   Children need vitamins to grow and fight illness.

   The doctor said I should take a vitamin every morning.

2. 2nouncountable

   A pill or liquid containing these substances, taken as a supplement when the diet may not provide enough.

   Grammar: Often used in the plural: vitamins. Takes a plural verb: The vitamins are on the shelf.

   Patterns

   • take vitamins
   • a vitamin supplement
   • prescribe vitamins

   She takes vitamins because she doesn't eat much fruit.

   The store sells vitamins and herbal teas.

   My grandmother swears by her daily vitamins.

Word forms

Common combinations

vitamin C

Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron.

vitamin D

Sunlight helps your skin make vitamin D.

take vitamins

He takes vitamins every day to stay healthy.

a vitamin deficiency

A vitamin deficiency can cause tiredness and weak bones.

rich in vitamins

Fresh vegetables are rich in vitamins.

Synonyms and how they differ

nutrient

Nutrient is a wider word for anything in food the body needs, including protein and minerals, not just vitamins.

supplement

Supplement means a product you take to add something to your diet; it may contain vitamins, but also minerals or herbs.

Word family

vitamin-rich adjective

Containing a lot of vitamins: a vitamin-rich diet.

Commonly confused: vitamin or vital?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “vitamin”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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