pescatarian

American  

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

Or pescetarian

noun

pescatarians plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pescatarians
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pescatarian

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

Example Sentences

Occasionally, we’ll make something pescatarian like grilled salmon or other fish.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 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

The menu is primarily pescatarian and vegan, and Rebar is known for its exceptional juice bar, so definitely order a juice.

From Seattle Times • May 12, 2022

Aligned on a passion for fresh vegetables — Ms. Parnell is vegetarian; Ms. Hardy is pescatarian — they shared many dinners cooked at home by Ms. Hardy, during which they would counsel each other.

From New York Times • Feb. 11, 2022

I’m a pescatarian, and they always do great things with their fish and vegetarian dishes.

From Washington Post • Oct. 8, 2021