English Reference
noun · adjective

vegan

n. · adj.
US /ˈvɛɡən/ UK /vˈiːɡən/ ve·g·an UK spelling vegans

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.someone who chooses not to eat or use anything that comes from an animal, such as meat, milk, eggs, or leather.

    n.a person who follows a lifestyle or diet that excludes all animal products, including meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and materials like leather or wool.

    Simple

    Since she became a vegan, she has discovered many delicious plant-based recipes.

    In context

    As a strict vegan, he meticulously checks the labels of processed foods to ensure no animal-derived additives are present.

    Usage

    The noun is countable and refers to the person following the lifestyle.

    herbivore
    omnivorecarnivore
  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    adj.describes food, clothes, or other products that do not contain any animal parts or materials.

    adj.pertaining to or consisting of products that do not contain animal-derived ingredients or involve animal exploitation in their production.

    Simple

    This restaurant has a great selection of vegan burgers and dairy-free desserts.

    In context

    The company recently launched a line of vegan leather handbags made from recycled pineapple leaf fibres.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it describes; typically non-gradable.

    plant basedcruelty free
    non vegan

Etymology tree Middle English vegetable English vegetable English -arian English vegetarian English vegan Clipping of vegetarian or vegetable, 1944. Coined by English vegan activist Donald Watson of the Vegan Society and first used in the name of The Vegan News.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated