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REFERENCE

vita

n.
US //ˈvaɪtə// UK //vˈiːtɐ// vi·ta
  1. 1 a resume or CV (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic American English

    a short name for a 'curriculum vitae', which is a document showing your work and education history.

    a shortened, often informal reference to a curriculum vitae. While 'CV' is more common in speech, 'vita' appears in academic job applications.

    Example

    Please send your updated vita to the university's hiring committee by Monday.

    Example

    The candidate's vita was impressive, detailing over twenty years of research in theoretical physics and numerous guest lectures at international conferences.

    Usage

    In American academic circles, 'vita' is often used instead of 'resume' for research positions.

    Teacher's tip

    Note that the plural is 'vitae'. In the UK, 'CV' is almost always preferred over 'vita'.
  2. 2 biography of a saint (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Academic Literary Religion

    a book or story that describes the life of a saint.

    a hagiography or biographical account of a saint's life, often written in a formal or historical style.

    Example

    The monk spent years writing a vita of the monastery's founder.

    Example

    Scholars analyzed the medieval vita to understand how the saint's reputation evolved during the fourteenth century.

    Usage

    Often used in the titles of historical Latin texts, such as 'Vita Columbae'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a highly specialized term mostly found in history or religious studies.

Last updated June 20, 2026