vet
veht
Vet (noun) means a doctor who treats animals; short for veterinarian. Example: “We took the cat to the vet for her annual checkup.”
noun
1
A doctor who treats animals; short for veterinarian.
"We took the cat to the vet for her annual checkup."
"The vet gave the puppy its injections and said it was healthy."
"My sister wants to become a vet because she loves working with farm animals."
2
A person who has served in the armed forces; short for veteran.
"The parade honoured local vets from the war."
"Every November the town holds a quiet service to remember its vets."
"He is a vet who now helps other former soldiers find work."
verb
1
To carefully check or investigate someone or something before approving them.
"The security team vets every visitor before they enter the building."
"The charity vets every volunteer who wants to work with young children."
"Editors vet each claim carefully before the article goes to print."
How to use vet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn informal short word for an animal doctor or a military veteran, and also a verb meaning to screen or check thoroughly.
Common pairings
vet a candidate
take the dog to the vet
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Word forms
- Plural
- vets
- Third person singular
- vets
- Past tense
- vetted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We took the cat to the _____ for her annual checkup.
Etymology
A shortened form of "veterinarian" (the animal-doctor sense) and separately of "veteran" (the ex-soldier sense).
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “vet” mean?
The word “vet” means a doctor who treats animals; short for veterinarian. In plain terms, an informal short word for an animal doctor or a military veteran, and also a verb meaning to screen or check thoroughly.
How do you pronounce “vet”?
“Vet” is pronounced veht (/vɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “vet” in a sentence?
Here is “vet” used in a sentence: “We took the cat to the vet for her annual checkup.”
What part of speech is “vet”?
Depending on how it is used, “vet” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “vet” a common word?
“Vet” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “vet” have?
“Vet” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a doctor who treats animals; short for veterinarian.
What is the difference between a vet and a doctor?
A vet, short for veterinarian, is a doctor who treats animals, while a doctor usually treats people. Both are trained medical professionals, but they care for different kinds of patients.
Does vet refer to a veteran or a veterinarian?
Vet can be short for either. It means a veterinarian, an animal doctor, or a veteran, someone who has served in the armed forces. The surrounding context makes clear which is meant.
What is the difference between vet and screen?
Both involve checking someone or something before approval. Screening often means an initial filter to remove unsuitable options, while vetting is usually a more thorough investigation of those who remain.
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