viva

1
[ vee-vuh; Italian vee-vah; Spanish bee-vah ]
/ ˈvi və; Italian ˈvi vɑ; Spanish ˈbi vɑ /

interjection

Italian, Spanish. (an exclamation of acclaim or approval): Viva Zapata!

noun

a shout of “viva.”

Origin of viva

1
1665–75; literally: may (he) live! 3rd person singular present subjunctive of Italian vivere, Spanish vivir ≪ Latin vīvere to live; see vital

Words nearby viva

vituperate, vituperation, vituperative, vitória, vitória de conquista, viva, viva voce, vivace, vivacious, vivacity, vivaldi

Definition for viva (2 of 2)

viva 2
[ vahy-vuh ]
/ ˈvaɪ və /

noun

(in British and European universities) an oral examination; viva voce.

Origin of viva

2
First recorded in 1890–95; shortened form

Example sentences from the Web for viva

British Dictionary definitions for viva (1 of 2)

viva 1
/ (ˈviːvə) /

interjection

long live; up with (a specified person or thing)

Word Origin for viva

C17: from Italian, literally: may (he) live! from vivere to live, from Latin vīvere

British Dictionary definitions for viva (2 of 2)

viva 2
/ (ˈvaɪvə) British /

noun

an oral examination

verb -vas, -vaing or -vaed (tr)

to examine orally

Word Origin for viva

shortened from viva voce