To vie means to compete eagerly with others for something you want. When several students vie for the lead role in the school play, they're all working hard to show the director they deserve the part. When athletes vie for a championship, they're pushing themselves to outperform their rivals.

The word captures that feeling of energetic competition where everyone involved is trying their best. You might vie for your teacher's attention, vie for a spot on the debate team, or vie for the last slice of pizza at a party.

The word often appears with “for” (vying for the trophy) or “with” (vying with other teams). When companies vie for customers, they compete by offering better products or services. When friends vie to tell the funniest joke, they're playfully trying to outdo each other.

Vying often suggests lively competition where everyone raises their game.