vegetarian

[ vej-i-tair-ee-uhn ]

/ ˌvɛdʒ ɪˈtɛər i ən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for vegetarian on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who does not eat or does not believe in eating meat, fish, fowl, or, in some cases, any food derived from animals, as eggs or cheese, but subsists on vegetables, fruits, nuts, grain, etc.

adjective

of or relating to vegetarianism or vegetarians.

devoted to or advocating this practice.

consisting solely of vegetables: vegetarian vegetable soup.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Compare lacto-ovo-vegetarian, lactovegetarian, vegan.

Origin of vegetarian

First recorded in 1835–45; veget(able) + -arian

OTHER WORDS FROM vegetarian

non·veg·e·tar·i·an, adjective, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vegetarian

vegan, vegetarian

Words nearby vegetarian

vegetable wax, vegetable wool, vegetably, vegetal, vegetal pole, vegetarian, vegetarianism, vegetate, vegetation, vegetative, vegetative reproduction

How to use vegetarian in a sentence

The number of Americans who follow a vegetarian diet hasn’t changed much in recent decades.
Is Fast Food Healthier When It's Plant-Based?|Christine Byrne|February 3, 2021|Outside Online
I think it’s much more likely that everybody would become a vegetarian than it is that people would start eating insects on a broad scale.
The Downside of Disgust (Ep. 448)|Stephen J. Dubner|January 21, 2021|Freakonomics
Our readers’ top 10 vegetarian recipes of 2020But on second thought, many of the Southern vegetable dishes I was raised on are braises.
How to braise vegetables and bring out their best flavors|Aaron Hutcherson|January 11, 2021|Washington Post
Not only was this our top vegetarian recipe of the year, but it was also our top recipe of the year, period.
Our readers’ top 10 vegetarian recipes of 2020 are quick-cooking and versatile|Kari Sonde|December 26, 2020|Washington Post

The last is vegetarian, but almost anything there can be made vegan.
How to freshen up your takeout game and keep restaurant food hot in the cold|Tom Sietsema|December 11, 2020|Washington Post
In the fall of 1992, Booker became a vegetarian “as an experiment,” he said, “and I was surprised by how much my body took to it.”
Talking Tofurky With Newly Vegan Cory Booker|Vlad Chituc|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We frequently enjoyed his Bengali vegetarian feasts while discussing different aspects of Eastern philosophy late into the night.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was, after all, mostly vegetarian, eating meat only a few times per year.
The Bioethicist Turned Butcher|Elizabeth Picciuto|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even though his undergraduate studies had led him to be a vegetarian, he decided to intern with a small pork producer.
The Bioethicist Turned Butcher|Elizabeth Picciuto|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
FINEST FEAST FOR FAMED VEGETARIAN GWYNETH PALTROW WHERE: Oxheart.
Foodie Heaven in Houston|Michele Meyer|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“He escaped by becoming a vegetarian the very day the law came into force,” said Padna.
The Whale and the Grasshopper|Seumas O'Brien
"He's a vegetarian," remarked the Tiger, as the horse began to munch the clover.
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz|L. Frank Baum
If there is any race of man which is vegetarian, you will find that it is from necessity alone.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society|Upton Sinclair
One would not, however, have one's guest a vegetarian, because that way distraction lies.
Adventures and Enthusiasms|E. V. Lucas
Even carnivorous animals thrive better on a vegetarian diet.
Tramping on Life|Harry Kemp

British Dictionary definitions for vegetarian

vegetarian

/ (ˌvɛdʒɪˈtɛərɪən) /

noun

a person who advocates or practises vegetarianism

adjective

relating to, advocating, or practising vegetarianism

cookery strictly, consisting of vegetables and fruit only, but usually including milk, cheese, eggs, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

vegetarian

Origin of vegetarian

OTHER WORDS FROM vegetarian

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH vegetarian

Words nearby vegetarian

Words related to vegetarian

How to use vegetarian in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for vegetarian