# vegetarian

/ˌvɛdʒəˈtɛˌɹiən/ (US) · /vˌɛdʒɪtˈeəɹiən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/vegetarian
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a person

noun · CEFR A2

someone who does not eat meat or fish.

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

- My sister has been a vegetarian since she was ten because she loves animals.
- The restaurant offers a diverse menu that caters to both vegetarians and vegans, ensuring that no guest feels limited by their dietary choices.

### 2. meat-free food

adjective · CEFR A2

food that does not contain any meat.

For teachers: relating to a diet or dish that excludes meat and fish.

- We decided to cook a vegetarian lasagna for the dinner party.
- The school cafeteria recently introduced a mandatory vegetarian day to reduce its carbon footprint and promote healthier eating habits among students.

### 3. an animal

noun · CEFR B2

an animal that only eats plants.

For teachers: an animal that subsists entirely on plant matter; a herbivore.

- Elephants are natural vegetarians that spend most of their day eating grass and leaves.
- Biologists classified the newly discovered species as a strict vegetarian after observing its foraging patterns in the dense rainforest canopy.

## Examples

- She has been a vegetarian since she was a teenager.
- The restaurant offers several delicious options for any vegetarian who visits, including a famous lentil soup.
- While some people adopt the diet for its perceived health benefits, many vegetarians are motivated by a desire to reduce their environmental footprint and avoid animal cruelty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.