vit|ri|ol|ic /v I triɒ l I k/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone's language or behaviour as vitriolic , you disapprove of it because it is full of bitterness and hate, and so causes a lot of distress and pain. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ There was a vicious and vitriolic attack on him in one of the Sunday newspapers two weeks ago.
vitro /viː troʊ/ → see in vitro
vi|tu|pera|tion /v I tjuː pəre I ʃ ə n, [AM ] va I tuː p-/ N‑UNCOUNT Vituperation is language that is full of hate, anger, or insults. [FORMAL ]
vi|tu|pera|tive /v I tjuː pərət I v, [AM ] va I tuː p-/ ADJ [ADJ n] Vituperative remarks are full of hate, anger, or insults. [FORMAL ] □ He is often the victim of vituperative remarks concerning his wealth. □ …one of journalism's most vituperative critics.
viva /va I və/ (vivas ) N‑COUNT A viva is a university examination in which a student answers questions in speech rather than writing. [BRIT ]
vi|va|cious /v I ve I ʃəs/ ADJ If you describe someone as vivacious , you mean that they are lively, exciting, and attractive. [WRITTEN , APPROVAL ] □ She's beautiful, vivacious, and charming.
vi|vac|ity /v I væ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone has vivacity , you mean that they are lively, exciting, and attractive. [WRITTEN , APPROVAL ]
viv|id /v I v I d/
1 ADJ If you describe memories and descriptions as vivid , you mean that they are very clear and detailed. □ People of my generation who lived through World War II have vivid memories of confusion and incompetence. □ On Wednesday night I had a very vivid dream which really upset me. ● viv|id|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ I can vividly remember the feeling of panic.
2 ADJ Something that is vivid is very bright in colour. □ …a vivid blue sky. ● viv|id|ly ADV [ADV -ed/adj] □ …vividly coloured birds.
vivi|sec|tion /v I v I se kʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Vivisection is the practice of using live animals for scientific experiments. □ …a fierce opponent of vivisection.
vix|en /v I ks ə n/ (vixens ) N‑COUNT A vixen is a female fox.
viz. viz. is used in written English to introduce a list of specific items or examples. □ The school offers two modules in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, viz. Principles and Methods of Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics.
vlog /vlɒ g, [AM ] vlɔː g/ (vlogs ) N‑COUNT A vlog is a set of videos that someone regularly posts on the internet in which they record their thoughts or experiences or talk about a subject. □ He has his own lifestyle vlog. ● vlog|ger (vloggers ) N‑COUNT □ Zoe Suggs is a beauty vlogger known as Zoella. ● vlog|ging N‑UNCOUNT □ He is a Youtube vlogging sensation.
V -neck (V-necks ) N‑COUNT [oft N n] A V-neck or a V-neck sweater is a sweater with a neck that is in the shape of the letter V.
vo|cabu|lary /voʊkæ bjʊləri, [AM ] -leri/ (vocabularies )
1 N‑VAR [oft with poss] Your vocabulary is the total number of words you know in a particular language. □ His speech is immature, his vocabulary limited.
2 N‑SING The vocabulary of a language is all the words in it. □ …a new word in the German vocabulary.
3 N‑VAR The vocabulary of a subject is the group of words that are typically used when discussing it. □ [+ of ] …the vocabulary of natural science.
vo|cal /voʊ k ə l/
1 ADJ You say that people are vocal when they speak forcefully about something that they feel strongly about. □ [+ in ] He has been very vocal in his displeasure over the results. □ A public inquiry earlier this year produced vocal opposition from residents. ● vo|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ Both these proposals were resisted by the developed countries, most vocally by the United States.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Vocal means involving the use of the human voice, especially in singing. □ …a wider range of vocal styles. ● vo|cal|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Vocally, it is often a very accomplished performance.
vo |cal co rds also vocal chords N‑PLURAL Your vocal cords are the part of your throat that vibrates when you speak.
vo|cal|ist /voʊ kəl I st/ (vocalists ) N‑COUNT A vocalist is a singer who sings with a pop group.
vo|cal|ize /voʊ kəla I z/ (vocalizes , vocalizing , vocalized ) in BRIT, also use vocalise 1 VERB If you vocalize a feeling or an idea, you express it in words. □ [V n] Archbishop Hunthausen also vocalized his beliefs that women and homosexuals should be more active in the church.
2 VERB When you vocalize a sound, you use your voice to make it, especially by singing it. □ [V n] In India and Bali, students learn to vocalize music before ever picking up instruments. [Also V ]
vo|cals /voʊ k ə lz/ N‑PLURAL In a pop song, the vocals are the singing, in contrast to the playing of instruments. □ She started out singing backing vocals for her brother.
vo|ca|tion /voʊke I ʃ ə n/ (vocations )
1 N‑VAR If you have a vocation , you have a strong feeling that you are especially suited to do a particular job or to fulfil a particular role in life, especially one which involves helping other people. □ It could well be that he has a real vocation. □ Diana was convinced of her vocation to provide support for her pupils.
2 N‑VAR [oft poss N ] If you refer to your job or profession as your vocation , you feel that you are particularly suited to it. □ Her vocation is her work as an actress.