vitals

IPA/ˈvaɪtlz/
IPA/ˈvaɪtlz/

vitals — noun

1. the body parts that a person or animal cannot survive without — for instance, th

1.名詞B2
釋義

the body parts that a person or animal cannot survive without — for instance, the brain, the heart, and the lungs

例句

The knife missed Stefan's vital organs by less than a centimetre.

collocation: vital organs used as synonym for vitals

A hard blow to the chest can damage the vitals and cause internal bleeding.

passive: vitals can be damaged by external force

同義詞
  • internal organs

    broader term that includes digestive and reproductive organs, not only life-sustaining ones

  • innards

    informal term for internal organs, often of animals

文法句型

vitals are…

the vitals of [a person/an animal]

用法筆記

Always used in the plural form. Frequently appears in medical contexts to refer collectively to the organs whose failure leads to death.

常見錯誤

❌He injured his vital in the accident.
✅He injured his vitals in the accident.
💡'vitals' is always plural; there is no singular noun form 'vital' meaning an organ.

2. the physical measurements that show whether a person is alive and how their body

2.名詞B2
釋義

the physical measurements that show whether a person is alive and how their body is doing, including body temperature, pulse rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure

例句

The nurse took Nikhil's vitals as soon as he arrived at the emergency room.

collocation: take someone's vitals

After the surgery, the medical team monitored Luca's vitals every thirty minutes through the night.

collocation: monitor vitals

同義詞
  • vital signs

    the full form; slightly more formal than 'vitals'

文法句型

vitals are…

check/take/monitor vitals

用法筆記

Often used in hospital or emergency settings. 'Vitals' in this sense is a shortened form of 'vital signs'. Medical staff routinely 'check', 'take', or 'monitor' a patient's vitals.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor checked my vital.
✅The doctor checked my vitals.
💡'vitals' meaning vital signs is always plural.

3. the most important or necessary parts of a system, organization, project, or act

3.名詞C1
釋義

the most important or necessary parts of a system, organization, project, or activity, without which it cannot function well

例句

Good communication and teamwork are the vitals of any successful restaurant kitchen.

pattern: the vitals of [noun]

Mayumi's business plan covered the vitals of an online store, from shipping to customer service.

同義詞
  • essentials

    more common and neutral in register

  • core

    suggests the innermost or central part

  • basics

    suggests fundamental elements, often simpler than 'vitals'

反義詞
  • frills

    non-essential extras; informal

文法句型

the vitals of [something]

用法筆記

A figurative extension of the medical meaning. Less common than synonyms like 'essentials', 'core', or 'basics', and tends to appear in informal or journalistic writing rather than technical contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The vital of the plan is good timing.
✅The vitals of the plan include good timing.
💡even in the figurative sense, 'vitals' remains plural.

4. the measurements of a woman's chest, waist, and hips, often used when buying clo

4.名詞C1
釋義

the measurements of a woman's chest, waist, and hips, often used when buying clothes or getting clothing made

例句

The dressmaker carefully measured Talia's vitals before cutting the fabric for her wedding gown.

collocation: measure someone's vitals

Aoi ordered a cheongsam online and sent the shop her vitals for a good fit.

同義詞

文法句型

[possessive] vitals

用法筆記

An informal shortening of 'vital statistics'. Typically refers to a woman's bust, waist, and hip measurements. Used mainly in fashion and tailoring contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The tailor needs your vitals stats.
✅The tailor needs your vitals.
💡'vitals' alone already covers the measurements; adding 'stats' is redundant.