# vita

/ˈvaɪtə/ (US) · /vˈiːtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vita
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a resume or CV

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · American English

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

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

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

Teaching tip: Note that the plural is 'vitae'. In the UK, 'CV' is almost always preferred over 'vita'.

### 2. biography of a saint

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Academic · Literary

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

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

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

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

## Examples

- Please send your current vita to the department head.
- The search committee reviewed each candidate's vita to compare their publication history and teaching experience.
- While a standard resume focuses on recent work history, a comprehensive vita provides an exhaustive record of scholarly achievements, including grants, fellowships, and peer-reviewed articles.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.