vitamins - Master This Word
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vitamins Word Meanings
- a substance that is essential for normal growth and nutrition
- a nutrient necessary for bodily functioning
- a compound that supports health
vitamins Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
vitamins Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈvɪt.ə.mɪn/
US
/ˈvaɪ.tə.mɪn/
vitamins Word Etymology
Vitamin: vita (life, Latin) + amino (containing amino groups); originated from Latin and adopted into English via German. Imagine a vibrant fruit bursting with life, representing the essential nutrients that sustain energy and health.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
From the counter I twist the cap, set the bottle down, and feel the weight settle in my palm. I tilt the bottle slightly, pour a pill into my hand, then adjust my grip and bring it to my mouth. I swallow and feel a steady warmth spread through my chest as the day falls into a calm rhythm. That small act keeps me ticking through meals and workouts, a quiet routine I carry with me.
Real Context
Vitamin is a class of organic compounds that the body needs in small amounts to stay healthy. They are not calories themselves but support normal growth, metabolism, immune function, and the maintenance of tissues and organs. The word vitamin originally comes from Vita (life) and amino (containing amino groups), a name later simplified to vitamin after adoption into English via German. In everyday usage, vitamins are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and fortified foods, and many people take supplements to fill gaps in their diet. Understanding vitamins helps learners describe nutrients, health, and wellness with precision.
Usage Reminders
- - Vitamins are nutrients needed in small amounts.
- - They are not energy sources.
- - Some vitamins are fat-soluble and stored in the body; others are water-soluble and must be eaten regularly.
- - Get vitamins primarily from foods rather than relying on supplements.
- - Learn the common vitamins by name (A, B, C, D, etc.) and their primary roles.
Common Misconceptions
- Vitamins are the same as minerals.
- Vitamins provide energy.
- All vitamins come from supplements.
- If you eat well once, you don't need vitamins.
- Vitamins are only for sick people.
Thinking Differences
In English, vitamin is a broad nutritional term used in everyday health talk, with a clear contrast to energy-rich foods and minerals. Learners often confuse vitamins with minerals or assume all vitamins come from supplements. English also frequently pairs vitamins with specific body roles (immune, vision, metabolism), so focusing on collocations helps avoid generic slang.
Learning Tips
- Learn common collocations: vitamin deficiency, vitamin supplement, vitamin-rich foods.
- Note pronunciation: vitamin is typically stressed on the first syllable.
- Remember plural: vitamins.
- Differentiate fat-soluble vs water-soluble vitamins.
- Practice with labels: 'Vitamin C', 'Vitamin D' on foods and pills.
- Use simple examples in daily talk: 'I need more vitamins from my diet.'
Related Listening
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