English Reference
noun · adjective

vegetarian

n. · adj.
US /ˌvɛdʒəˈtɛˌɹiən/ UK /vˌɛdʒɪtˈeəɹiən/ veg·e·tar·i·an UK spelling vegetarian's, vegetarian's

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    n.someone who does not eat meat or fish.

    n.a person who does not eat meat, poultry, or fish, often for ethical, environmental, or health reasons.

    Simple

    My sister has been a vegetarian since she was ten because she loves animals.

    In context

    The restaurant offers a diverse menu that caters to both vegetarians and vegans, ensuring that no guest feels limited by their dietary choices.

    Pitfall
    She is a vegetarian person. She is a vegetarian.

    In English, 'vegetarian' is a noun on its own. You do not need to add the word 'person' after it.

    herbivore
    carnivoremeat eater
  2. 02 A2 Elementary Cooking

    adj.food that does not contain any meat.

    adj.relating to a diet or dish that excludes meat and fish.

    Simple

    We decided to cook a vegetarian lasagna for the dinner party.

    In context

    The school cafeteria recently introduced a mandatory vegetarian day to reduce its carbon footprint and promote healthier eating habits among students.

    meatlessplant based
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    n.an animal that only eats plants.

    n.an animal that subsists entirely on plant matter; a herbivore.

    Simple

    Elephants are natural vegetarians that spend most of their day eating grass and leaves.

    In context

    Biologists classified the newly discovered species as a strict vegetarian after observing its foraging patterns in the dense rainforest canopy.

    herbivore
    carnivoreomnivore

From vegetable + -arian; popularized following 1847 foundation of British Vegetarian Society.

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

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Frequent
Updated