Ask Difference

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.
Vigour vs. Vitality — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Vigour and Vitality

ADVERTISEMENT

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
ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Share Your Discovery

Share via Social Media
Embed This Content
Embed Code
Share Directly via Messenger
Link
Previous Comparison
Imagery vs. Metaphor

Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj 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.

Popular Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Comparisons

Trending Terms