vim
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /vˈɪm/
US
- /ˈvɪm/
Description
- energy
- lively spirit
- enthusiasm
- drive
"Vim" describes lively energy, enthusiasm, and spirit. Think of a young puppy racing around the room full of life; that is vim. It is not only about physical energy, but also about an active, cheerful attitude. Someone with vim meets tasks with eagerness and drive. You might say an athlete plays with vim, or use the well-known phrase "vim and vigor." The word comes from the Latin vis, meaning "force" or "strength."
"Vim" is a somewhat old-fashioned but vivid word for energetic spirit, vitality, and enthusiasm. It is more than physical strength. It also suggests inner drive, readiness, and a lively attitude toward life. Think of someone who throws themself into every task with energy and purpose: that person has vim.
The word comes from Latin, where vim is a form of vis, a word related to strength or force. In English, though, vim is mainly used to talk about spirited energy rather than raw power. It can describe the way a person works, speaks, or lives. You might say a teacher led the class with vim, or that a performer stepped onto the stage full of vim.
The word is especially common in the phrase "vim and vigor," which emphasizes strong energy and lively spirit together. While vim is not the most common word in everyday modern speech, it still appears in writing and in expressive speech when someone wants a colorful way to praise energy and enthusiasm. If a person seems full of pep, drive, and life, vim is a good word for that quality.
Examples
- 1
Personal energy
After a good night's sleep, he faced the day with renewed vim.
- 2
Performance energy
The new music gave the whole show a little extra vim.
- 3
Set phrase
At seventy-eight, she still walks into every meeting with vim and vigor.
Phrase
vim and vigor
a common phrase for strong energy and enthusiasm
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- vimnoun