- 1 necessary or essential in order for something to succeed or exist vital (for something) the vitamins that are vital for health vital (to something) Good financial accounts are vital to the success of any enterprise. Reading is of vital importance in language learning. The police play a vital role in our society. vital that… It is vital that you keep accurate records when you are self-employed. vital to do something It was vital to show that he was not afraid. Language BankvitalSaying that something is necessary It is vital that journalists can verify the accuracy of their reports. Journalists play a vital/crucial role in educating the public. Public trust is a crucial issue for all news organizations. The ability to write well is essential for any journalist. The Internet has become an indispensable tool for reporters. In journalism, accuracy is paramount/…is of paramount importance. It is imperative that journalists maintain the highest possible standards of reporting. synonyms at essential language bank at emphasis, impersonal Synonymsessentialvital crucial critical decisive indispensableThese words all describe somebody/something that is extremely important and completely necessary because a particular situation or activity depends on them.essential extremely important and completely necessary, because without it something cannot exist, be made or be successful:Experience is essential for this job.vital essential:The police play a vital role in our society.essential or vital?These words have the same meaning but there can be a slight difference in tone. Essential is used to state a fact or opinion with authority. Vital is often used when there is some anxiety felt about something, or a need to persuade somebody that a fact or opinion is true, right or important. Vital is less often used in negative statements:It was vital to show that he was not afraid. Money is not vital to happiness.crucial extremely important because a particular situation or activity depends on it:It is crucial that we get this right.critical extremely important because a particular situation or activity depends on it:Your decision is critical to our future.crucial or critical?These words have the same meaning but there can be a slight difference in context. Critical is often used in technical matters of business or science; crucial is often used to talk about matters that may cause anxiety or other emotions.decisive of the greatest importance in affecting the final result of a particular situation:She has played a decisive role in the peace negotiations.indispensable essential; too important to be without:Cars have become an indispensable part of our lives.Patterns essential/vital/crucial/critical/decisive/indispensable for something essential/vital/crucial/critical/indispensable to something essential/vital/crucial/critical that… essential/vital/crucial/critical to do something a(n) essential/vital/crucial/critical/decisive/indispensable part/factor of vital/crucial/critical/decisive importance absolutely essential/vital/crucial/critical/decisive/indispensable Language BankemphasisHighlighting an important point This case emphasizes/highlights the importance of honest communication between managers and employees. Effective communication skills are essential/crucial/vital. It should be noted that this study considers only verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is not dealt with here. It is important to remember that/An important point to remember is that non-verbal communication plays a key role in getting your message across. Communication is not only about the words you use but also your body language and, especially/above all, the effectiveness with which you listen. I would like to draw attention to the role of listening in effective communication. Choose your words carefully: in particular, avoid confusing and ambiguous language. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you must learn to listen as well as to speak. Language BankimpersonalGiving opinions using impersonal language It is vital that more is done to prevent the illegal trade in wild animals. (Compare: We have to do more to stop people trading wild animals illegally.) It is clear that more needs to be done to protect biodiversity. (Compare: We clearly need to do more to protect biodiversity.) It is unfortunate that the practice of keeping monkeys as pets still continues. (Compare: It’s absolutely terrible that people still keep monkeys as pets.) It is difficult for many people to understand the reasons why certain individuals choose to hunt animals for sport. (Compare: I can’t understand why anyone would want to kill animals for fun.) Unfortunately, it would seem that not enough is being done to support tiger conservation. (Compare: Governments aren’t doing enough to help tiger conservation.) There is no doubt that the greatest threat to polar bears comes from global warming. (Compare: I believe that the greatest threat…) Oxford Collocations Dictionary verbsbe, prove, seem, … adverbparticularly, really, very, … prepositionfor, to
- 2[only before noun] connected with or necessary for staying alive the vital organs (= the brain, heart, lungs, etc.)
- 3(of a person) full of energy and enthusiasm synonym dynamic Word Originlate Middle English (describing the animating principle of living beings, also in sense (3)): via Old French from Latin vitalis, from vita ‘life’. The sense ‘essential’ dates from the early 17th cent.Extra examples These nutrients are absolutely vital to good health. fostering team spirit, which is vital for success the strategically vital industrial zone Bean sprouts contain many of the vitamins that are vital for health. It is vital that you keep accurate records when you are self-employed.
Check pronunciation: vital
