vitally

vitally — adverb

1. mattering so much that the ability of something to succeed or survive depends on

1.adverbB2
Definition

mattering so much that the ability of something to succeed or survive depends on having it

Example

Clean drinking water is vitally important for the health of children in rural communities.

vitally + adjective (important)

The Watanabe family's support proved vitally important during the hospital stay.

Common collocations
  • vitally important
  • vitally necessary
  • vitally essential
  • vitally needed
Synonyms
  • crucially

    very similar in meaning; slightly stronger emphasis on the decisive moment or turning point

  • essentially

    focuses on the fundamental nature of something rather than its importance to an outcome

  • critically

    emphasises that failure or absence would lead to serious consequences

Antonyms
  • marginally

    suggests only a small or insignificant effect

  • trivially

    suggests something of little importance or value

Grammar Patterns

vitally + adjective (important, necessary, essential)

vitally + past participle (needed, connected)

Usage Note

Almost always modifies adjectives such as important, necessary, or essential. Rarely used directly before verbs in this sense.

Common Mistakes

This is vital important for your recovery.
This is vitally important for your recovery.
'vital' is an adjective; you need the adverb 'vitally' to modify another adjective.

2. with energy and enthusiasm, or in a lively, spirited manner

2.adverbC1
Definition

with energy and enthusiasm, or in a lively, spirited manner

Example

The old city felt vitally alive during the festival, with music echoing through every street.

vitally + adjective (alive) — literary use

Amira spoke vitally about her research, her enthusiasm inspiring everyone in the room.

Common collocations
  • vitally alive
  • grew vitally
  • spoke vitally
Synonyms
  • energetically

    more common in everyday English; focuses on the effort and activity involved

  • vigorously

    emphasises strength and intensity of action

  • dynamically

    suggests constant change, progress, or forward movement

Antonyms
  • lifelessly

    suggests a complete absence of energy or spirit

  • sluggishly

    suggests slow, heavy, unenergetic movement

Grammar Patterns

vitally + verb (grew, danced, spoke, responded)

Usage Note

A more literary or formal use of 'vitally'. In everyday speech, alternatives such as energetically, vigorously, or with vitality are far more common.

Common Mistakes

She danced vitally' (in a casual conversation).
She danced energetically' or 'She danced with so much energy.
'vitally' in this sense sounds very formal or literary; use simpler adverbs in everyday speech.

Word family

  • vital
    adjectiveB2
  • vitality
    nounB2
  • vitalize
    verbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four adverbs emphasise high importance, but they differ in nuance. Vitally connects importance to life, health, or continued existence — 'vitally important' implies that without it, something cannot survive or function properly. Crucially places the stress on a decisive moment or turning point: a crucial factor is the one that determines the outcome. Essentially points to the fundamental nature of something: an essential quality is what makes something what it is, regardless of consequences. Critically carries the strongest sense of danger or emergency: a critical shortage means failure is imminent. For example: 'A balanced diet is vitally important for a child's growth' (life-sustaining), 'Her testimony was crucial to the case' (decisive), 'The project is essentially a community effort' (by nature), and 'The supply of medicine is critically low' (dangerously).

vitally ↗crucially ↗essentially ↗critically ↗

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Derived from Latin 'vitalis' meaning 'of or belonging to life', which came from 'vita' (life). The word entered English through Old French 'vital' in the 14th century as an adjective meaning 'of or relating to life'. The adverb form 'vitally' emerged in the early 17th century, originally meaning 'in a way relating to life' before extending to the figurative sense of 'essentially, indispensably'.