# vitamin

/ˈvaɪtəmən/ (US) · /vˈɪtəmɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vitamin
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. essential nutrient

noun · CEFR B1

a natural substance in food, like fruit or vegetables, that helps your body work correctly and stay strong.

For teachers: any of a group of organic substances that are essential in small amounts to maintaining normal health and metabolic functions.

- Oranges are a great source of vitamin C, which helps your body fight colds.
- A balanced diet typically provides all the necessary vitamins, though some people require supplements to address specific nutritional deficiencies.

Usage: Often followed by a letter (A, B, C, etc.) to specify the type.

### 2. health-giving thing

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a word used before another word to suggest that something is very good for your health or spirit.

For teachers: used figuratively and informally before a noun or letter to imply that the referent promotes wellness or vitality.

- I call my morning walk 'vitamin N' because being in nature makes me feel better.
- The coach described the team's weekend retreat as 'vitamin S' for the soul, emphasizing its restorative effect on their morale.

Teaching tip: This is a creative, non-literal use of the word often seen in lifestyle blogs or casual conversation.

### 3. to add vitamins

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

to add vitamins to food during the manufacturing process.

For teachers: to fortify or enrich a food product with supplemental vitamins.

- In the past, some companies tried to vitamin their products to make them seem healthier.
- Early twentieth-century efforts to vitamin white flour were met with both public enthusiasm and regulatory scrutiny.

Usage: This transitive verb form is rare in modern English; 'fortify' or 'enrich' is preferred.

## Examples

- Oranges are a great source of vitamin C.
- If you do not eat enough fresh vegetables, you might need to take a daily vitamin supplement to stay healthy.
- While a balanced diet typically provides all necessary nutrients, certain medical conditions can hinder the absorption of a specific vitamin, leading to long-term health complications if left untreated.

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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.