pescatarian

American  

[pes-kuh-tair-ee-uhn] / ˌpɛs kəˈtɛər i ən /

Or pescetarian

noun

1. a person whose diet is mostly vegetarian but includes fish and seafood.

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adjective

1. of or relating to pescatarians or their diet.

   a pescatarian breakfast.

Usage

What does pescatarian mean? A pescatarian is someone whose diet is vegetarian but who also eats fish and seafood. Pescatarian can also be used as an adjective describing such a diet. A vegetarian is someone who eats a meatless diet that is often primarily based on vegetables. Following a pescatarian diet is called pescatarianism, and it is thought to offer many health benefits. Pescatarian is sometimes spelled pescetarian. Example: I’m trying to cut out meat and go vegetarian, so for now I’m going to be pescatarian.

Etymology

Origin of pescatarian

1990–95; probably from Italian pesce fish (from Latin piscis ) + (vege)tarian ( def. )

Example Sentences

Victor is a self-described pescatarian but will make the odd exception for a slider at a fancy party or a bite of the pork and green chile stew at Dunsmoor in Glassell Park, a favorite.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2025

For most of my adult life I'd dabbled with pescatarian and vegetarian diets, but they never fully stuck.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2023

I am a 52-year-old pescatarian runner who eats a Mediterranean diet.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2023

That, along with embracing a pescatarian diet, was the starting point.

From Washington Post • Sep. 23, 2021

Unfortunately, Mensah-Stock said, she won’t be able to partake in the barbecue: “I’m a pescatarian now.”

From New York Times • Aug. 6, 2021