noun Uncommon

paleo

PAY-lee-oh

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Paleo (noun) means a way of eating based on foods thought to have been available to hunter-gatherers — meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds — while excluding grains, pulses, dairy, refined sugar and processed foods. Example: “She has been doing paleo since January.”

noun

A way of eating based on foods thought to have been available to hunter-gatherers — meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds — while excluding grains, pulses, dairy, refined sugar and processed foods.

"She has been doing paleo since January."

"Paleo cuts out bread, pasta and rice completely."

adjective

Following, or suitable for, that way of eating.

"These paleo pancakes are made with almond flour and banana."

specialist Relating to the distant past, as a shortening of palaeolithic or a prefix in words such as palaeontology.

"The paleo record shows sea levels far higher than today's."

How to use paleo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEating only foods a caveman could have eaten — no grains, dairy or processed food.

When to use it

Everyday in food and fitness contexts; the 'ancient' sense is academic.

Memory tip

Paleo-friendly on a label means it fits the diet's rules, not that it is ancient.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

keto Whole30 primal → palaeolithic

Common pairings

paleo diet go paleo paleo recipe paleo-friendly strict paleo

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “paleo” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She has been doing _____ since January.

Etymology

From Greek palaios, meaning ancient or old — the same root as in palaeolithic and palaeontology. British English spells the prefix palaeo-, American English paleo-.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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paleo diet caveman diet Stone Age diet

Rhymes for paleo

CEO deo Leo geo Yeo Neo Seo Keo Teo Heo Oreo Theo

See all rhymes for paleo →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between paleo and keto?

Paleo is defined by which foods are allowed — nothing farmed or processed after the Stone Age — and permits fruit, honey and starchy vegetables. Keto is defined by macronutrients: carbohydrate is cut low enough to shift the body into ketosis, but dairy and artificial sweeteners are fine. A meal can be both, but neither implies the other.

Can you eat dairy on paleo?

Strictly, no — milk, cheese and yoghurt arrived with farming, so standard paleo excludes them. Many people follow a looser version that allows butter, ghee or full-fat dairy.

Is paleo spelled paleo or palaeo?

The diet is almost always written paleo, since the term spread from American usage. In scientific British English the prefix keeps its older spelling: palaeolithic, palaeontology.

What is the meaning of paleo?

"paleo" (noun) means a way of eating based on foods thought to have been available to hunter-gatherers — meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds — while excluding grains, pulses, dairy, refined sugar and processed foods.