What does vie mean?
To vie is to compete or contend with another person, organization, or force. The verb is especially common in formal and literary English: one person or group vies with a rival, while several parties vie for a limited prize, position, or advantage. Its context usually implies sustained rivalry rather than a single game or routine task, although the range of subjects is broad. “The candidates vied for the position” presents the word in its standard pattern, while “rival firms vie with one another for customers” shows that the competition can be commercial as well as personal. The verb has the forms vie, vies, vying, and vied. Vie is a useful formal alternative to compete or contend, adding a sense of determined rivalry and giving writing a more elevated tone. Although often encountered in journalism and formal prose, it is fully standard in British and American English.
verbTo compete or contend with another person, organization, or force, especially as a rival. It can also mean to strive for something wanted by several competitors.
- To compete or contend with another person or thing, or to strive for a position, prize, or advantage.
"Several promising candidates vied for the position."
"The two companies vied for control of the market."
"Her poetry vied with that of the finest poets of her generation."
Vie comes from a linguistic lineage meaning “to see,” capturing the old idea of rivals keeping one another in view before their contest becomes a battle.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vie come from?
The English verb dates to the early 17th century and entered English through Anglo-French from Old North French vieier. It is derived from Medieval Latin vidiare, associated with Latin videre, “to see.” The sense of competing developed from the idea of comparing oneself with or keeping sight of a rival.
Related word forms
How vie is actually used
The verb sounds formal or literary and often presents competition as determined rivalry. The past tense and past participle are both vied.
Easily confused with vie
A vial is a small container for liquids, whereas vie is a verb meaning to compete or contend.