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Synonyms

vet

1 American  
[vet] / vɛt /

noun

  1. veterinarian.

verb (used with object)

vetted, vetting

  1. to appraise, verify, or check for accuracy, authenticity, suitability, etc..

    An expert vetted the manuscript before publication.

  2. to examine or treat in one's capacity as a veterinarian.

verb (used without object)

vetted, vetting

  1. to work as a veterinarian.

vet 2 American  
[vet] / vɛt /

noun

Informal.

  1. veteran.

vet. 3 American  

abbreviation

  1. veteran.

  2. veterinarian.

  3. veterinary.

vet 1 British  
/ vɛt /

noun

  1. short for veterinary surgeon

"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

verb

  1. (tr) to make a prior examination and critical appraisal of (a person, document, scheme, etc) See also positive vetting

    the candidates were well vetted

  2. to examine, treat, or cure (an animal)

"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
vet. 2 British  

abbreviation

  1. veteran

  2. veterinarian

  3. veterinary

"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
vet 3 British  
/ vɛt /

noun

  1. short for veteran veteran

"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

Etymology

Origin of vet1

First recorded in 1860–65; short for veterinarian

Origin of vet2

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; shortened form

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Small-caps are no picnic either, with more than 40% of companies in the Russell 2000 being unprofitable, including lots of biotechs that require expertise to vet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

"I took her to the vet three times. And two times, the vet said, don't worry about it, it's just a rash," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

K9 Search & Rescue NI secretary Paul Donley said Gray, who is the charity's founder, had suffered serious facial injuries, while Max will have to be taken to a vet.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

The best ones vet aides and send backups in case of no-shows.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

“He was hit by a car, and we needed to pay his vet bill.”

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.