What does "vegan" mean?

1. (a person) someone who chooses not to eat or use anything that comes from an animal, such as meat, milk, eggs, or leather. 2. (food or products) describes food, clothes, or other products that do not contain any animal parts or materials.

How do you use "vegan"?

The noun is countable and refers to the person following the lifestyle. Usually placed before the noun it describes; typically non-gradable.

vegan

n. · adj.

US //ˈvɛɡən// UK //vˈiːɡən// ve·g·an

1 a person (n.)
B1 Intermediate

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

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

Example

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

Example

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
- omnivore
- carnivore
2 food or products (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

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

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

Example

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

Example

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 based
- cruelty free
- non vegan

Origin

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.