Meaning & use

viva

noun·Academic

Last updated

chiefly British: an oral examination, especially for a university degree.

See it in a sentence

She spent weeks preparing for her doctoral viva.

The department scheduled his viva for the following Tuesday.

A note on using this word

In British and some Commonwealth universities, 'viva' (short for Latin 'viva voce,' meaning 'with the living voice') refers specifically to the oral defense of a thesis.

Words with a similar meaning

oral exam

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. interjection

an exclamation expressing approval or wishing long life to someone

The crowd shouted 'Viva!' as the parade passed by.

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