Vie Meaning
/vaɪ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo fight for superiority; to contend; to compete eagerly so as to gain something.
verbTo rival (something), etc.
Sentence Examples
I prefer your eau de vie to your conversation.
He said: "C'est la vie"!
CEFR Practice Quiz
Several countries ____ for the chance to host the Olympic Games every four years.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Many different companies are trying to ____ for the contract to build the new city bridge over the river today.
Word Origin & History
Apheretic form of envy.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It is the tradition of a trading nation[…], that the younger sons[…] may be placed in such a way of life as […] to vie with the best of their family."
— 1711 July 14 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “TUESDAY, July 4, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 109; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC:
"The Major Stations category is keenly contested, with 24 other large city centre termini and major rail hub stations all vying for recognition. As ever, the NRA's expert panel of judges visited each as unannounced mystery shoppers."
— 2023 October 18, Nick Brodrick, “The grand gateway to Glasgow”, in RAIL, number 994, page 33:
"But, if there be, or ever were, one such, / It's past the size of dreaming: nature wants stuff / To vie strange forms with fancy; yet, to imagine / An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainst fancy, / Condemning shadows quite."
— c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
"She hung about my neck; and kiss on kiss / She vied so fast."
— c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
"Nor was he set over us to vie wisdom with his Parliament, but to be guided by them."
— 1649, J[ohn] Milton, ΕΙΚΟΝΟΚΛΆΣΤΗΣ [Eikonoklástēs] […], London: […] Matthew Simmons, […], →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Several countries ____ for the chance to host the Olympic Games every four years.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Many different companies are trying to ____ for the contract to build the new city bridge over the river today.