vegetal

American  

[vej-i-tl] / ˈvɛdʒ ɪ tl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of plants or vegetables.

2. vegetative.

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vegetal British  

/ ˈvɛdʒɪtəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of vegetables or plant life

2. of or relating to processes in plants and animals that do not involve sexual reproduction; vegetative

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Etymology

Origin of vegetal

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin veget ( āre ) to quicken ( vegetate ) + -al -al ¹

Example Sentences

Its fire is different — not a slap-you-in-the-face blaze but a cleaner, more vegetal heat that builds and breaks gently, more like a tide rolling in and out.

From Salon • Sep. 2, 2025

The vegetal, resinous scent after harvest — similar to a fresh-mowed lawn — is what brewers try to harness into a “fresh beer.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 5, 2023

Brazil principally exported vegetal fats and oils, rice and poultry meat.

From Washington Times • Sep. 16, 2023

There are also chile liqueurs, such as Ancho Reyes’ Original ancho and its Verde, the former sweet and smoky, the latter retaining more of the raw poblano chile’s green vegetal notes.

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2023

I ask his mouth, remembering, despite the fact that my IQ is approaching the vegetal range, that he too must have a name.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson