English Reference

Word

vegan

Phoneticsve·g·an

US/ˈvɛɡən/

UK/vˈiːɡən/

Definitions

01a person

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

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.

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

“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.

Synonyms

herbivore

Antonyms

omnivorecarnivore

02food or products

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.

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

“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.

Synonyms

plant-basedcruelty-free

Antonyms

non-vegan

Etymology

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.

Word family

NOUN

vegan(B1)

Related words

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/vegan

English Reference