vegetarian
veh-jih-TEH-uh-ree-uhn
Vegetarian (noun) means a person who doesn't eat meat or fish. Example: “She's been a vegetarian since she was a teenager.”
noun
1
A person who doesn't eat meat or fish.
"She's been a vegetarian since she was a teenager."
"The menu has plenty of options for vegetarians."
"My brother is a vegetarian, so we cooked bean chilli for him."
adj
1
Containing no meat, or suitable for people who don't eat meat.
"We ordered the vegetarian lasagna."
"Is there a vegetarian option on the school lunch menu today?"
"The café serves a vegetarian breakfast with mushrooms, tomatoes and toast."
How to use vegetarian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who avoids meat and fish, or food made without them.
Common mistake
Vegetarians may still eat eggs, dairy, and honey, unlike vegans, who avoid all animal products.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
vegetarian diet
strict vegetarian
vegetarian dish
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Word forms
- Plural
- vegetarians
- Comparative
- more vegetarian
- Superlative
- most vegetarian
Fill the gap
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She's been a _____ since she was a teenager.
Etymology
Formed from "vegetable" plus the suffix -arian; the word spread after the British Vegetarian Society was founded in 1847.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for vegetarian
See all rhymes for vegetarian →Frequently asked questions
What does “vegetarian” mean?
The word “vegetarian” means a person who doesn't eat meat or fish. In plain terms, someone who avoids meat and fish, or food made without them.
How do you pronounce “vegetarian”?
“Vegetarian” is pronounced veh-jih-TEH-uh-ree-uhn (/vɛ.d͡ʒɪˈtɛ.ɹi.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “vegetarian” in a sentence?
Here is “vegetarian” used in a sentence: “She's been a vegetarian since she was a teenager.”
What part of speech is “vegetarian”?
Depending on how it is used, “vegetarian” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “vegetarian” come from?
The word “vegetarian” dates back to around 1847. Formed from "vegetable" plus the suffix -arian; the word spread after the British Vegetarian Society was founded in 1847.
Is “vegetarian” a common word?
“Vegetarian” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “vegetarian” have?
“Vegetarian” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who doesn't eat meat or fish.
What is the difference between vegetarian and vegan?
A vegetarian avoids eating meat and fish but may still eat animal products such as eggs, dairy, and honey. A vegan avoids all animal products, including those, making veganism a stricter diet than vegetarianism.
Can a vegetarian eat fish?
No, by definition a vegetarian does not eat meat or fish. Someone who eats fish but avoids other meat is usually called a pescatarian rather than a vegetarian.
What does vegetarian mean when describing food?
When used as an adjective, vegetarian describes food that contains no meat or is otherwise suitable for people who don't eat meat, such as a 'vegetarian menu' or 'vegetarian chili.'
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