Vigour vs. Vitality — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 7, 2024
Vigour implies robust energy and strength, whereas vitality denotes the capacity for survival or for the continuation of a meaningful or purposeful existence.
Difference Between Vigour and Vitality
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Vigour often refers to physical or mental energy and enthusiasm, characterized by strength, forcefulness, and sometimes aggression in pursuit of activities or goals. On the other hand, vitality encompasses not just energy but the essence of being alive, often reflecting a broader, more holistic sense of health, well-being, and the capacity to endure or thrive.
Vigour is often temporal and task-specific, observable in bursts of effort or short-term projects. It's the driving force behind achieving specific objectives, like completing a marathon or tackling a challenging project at work. Vitality, meanwhile, suggests a sustained ability to cope with challenges and continue growing. It's less about momentary exertion and more about long-term sustainability and health, both physical and emotional.
While vigour may diminish with age or temporary conditions, vitality can be maintained or even grow through holistic care for the body and mind, encompassing a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, mental health care, and social connections.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Energy and enthusiasm, especially in physical effort
The capacity to live, grow, or develop
Focus
Strength, forcefulness, activity
Health, survival, meaningful existence
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Duration
Often short-term and task-specific
Long-term, holistic well-being
Associated With
Youth, health, specific achievements
Resilience, holistic health, life force
Key Quality
Intensity and effort
Endurance and capacity to thrive
Compare with Definitions
Vigour
Forcefulness or energy in action or expression.
He argued his point with great vigour.
Vitality
A lively or energetic quality.
His paintings are known for their colour and vitality.
Vigour
Intense physical or mental strength.
The vigour of the young athlete was evident in her powerful sprint.
Vitality
The capacity to live, develop, or be successful.
A balanced diet is essential for maintaining vitality.
Vigour
The capacity for natural growth and survival.
The vigour of the planted seeds depends on soil quality.
Vitality
The state of being strong and active; energy.
She has an infectious vitality that lights up the room.
Vigour
Robustness in health or constitution.
After her recovery, she returned to work with renewed vigour.
Vitality
The power giving continuance of life, present in all living things.
The forest is bursting with vitality in spring.
Vigour
The power to accomplish or endure.
They tackled the clean-up with surprising vigour.
Vitality
The ability to endure or survive.
The vitality of the community was tested after the storm.
Vigour
Physical strength and good health
I was 79, but still full of vigour and vitality
He has managed to retain his youthful vigour
Vitality
Vitality (from Middle French vitalité, from Latin vītālitās, from Latin vīta 'life') is the capacity to live, grow, or develop. More simply it is the property of having life.
Vigour
Variant of vigor.
Vitality
The state of being strong and active; energy
Changes that will give renewed vitality to our democracy
Vigour
Active strength or force of body or mind; capacity for exertion, physically, intellectually, or morally; energy.
Vitality
The capacity to live, grow, or develop
Plants that lost their vitality when badly pruned.
Vigour
(biology) Strength or force in animal or vegetable nature or action.
A plant grows with vigour.
Vitality
The characteristic, principle, or force that distinguishes living things from nonliving things.
Vigour
Strength; efficacy; potency.
Vitality
Physical or intellectual vigor; energy or liveliness.
Vigour
An exertion of force;
He plays tennis with great energy
Vitality
The capacity to endure
The vitality of an old tradition.
Vigour
Active strength of body or mind
Vitality
The capacity to live and develop.
Vigour
An imaginative lively style (especially style of writing);
His writing conveys great energy
Vitality
Energy or vigour.
Vitality
That which distinguishes living from nonliving things; life, animateness.
Vitality
The quality or state of being vital; the principle of life; vital force; animation; as, the vitality of eggs or vegetable seeds; the vitality of an enterprise.
Vitality
An energetic style
Vitality
A healthy capacity for vigorous activity;
Jogging works off my excess energy
He seemed full of vim and vigor
Vitality
(biology) a hypothetical force (not physical or chemical) once thought by Henri Bergson to cause the evolution and development of organisms
Vitality
The property of being able to survive and grow;
The vitality of a seed
Common Curiosities
Why is vigour important?
Vigour is crucial for achieving specific tasks, overcoming challenges, and making progress in physical or intellectual endeavors.
Can vigour and vitality be improved?
Yes, both can be enhanced through healthy living, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mental well-being practices.
How does vitality contribute to well-being?
Vitality contributes to overall well-being by encompassing not just physical health, but also emotional and psychological resilience and energy.
Can vigour exist without vitality?
While vigour can be a short-term display of energy or strength, sustained vigour typically relies on underlying vitality.
How is vitality different from vigour?
Vitality refers to the broader capacity for life, including health, energy, and the power to grow or thrive, whereas vigour is more about energy and strength in action.
How do lifestyle choices affect vigour and vitality?
Lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep, significantly impact both vigour and vitality.
How can someone increase their vigour?
Increasing physical activity, pursuing engaging hobbies, and managing stress can boost vigour.
What role does mental health play in vitality?
Mental health is crucial for vitality, as it affects energy levels, resilience, and the overall enjoyment of life.
What defines vigour?
Vigour is characterized by physical or mental energy and strength, often displayed through enthusiastic or forceful action.
Is vigour only a physical attribute?
No, vigour can also refer to mental or emotional energy and enthusiasm.
Can older adults maintain vitality?
Absolutely, through healthy lifestyle choices, social engagement, and proactive health care, older adults can maintain or even improve their vitality.
Is vitality synonymous with health?
Vitality includes aspects of health but also encompasses energy, spirit, and the capacity to live fully and thrive.
How do environment and community affect vitality?
A supportive, stimulating environment and strong community connections can enhance vitality by providing emotional support and opportunities for engagement.
What are indicators of low vitality?
Fatigue, lack of motivation, poor health, and low engagement with life are common indicators of low vitality.
How do seasons affect vigour and vitality?
Seasonal changes can influence vigour and vitality, with some people experiencing more energy in certain seasons due to factors like weather, daylight hours, and lifestyle changes.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
