English · Word Candidate

vegetarian

/vɛ.d͡ʒɪˈtɛə.ɹi.ən/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: vegetarians

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A person who does not eat animal flesh, or, in some cases, use any animal products.

Noun

Examples

"The sight and smell of raw meat are especially odious to me, and I have often thought that if I had had to be my own cook, I should inevitably become a vegetarian, probably, indeed, return entirely to my green and salad days."

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An animal that eats only plants; a herbivore.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Of or relating to the type of diet eaten by vegetarians (in all senses).

Adjective

Examples

Must we not put to death blackbirds and thrushes because they feed on worms, or (if capital punishment offends our humanitarianism) starve them slowly by permanent captivity and vegetarian diet?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Without meat.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “vegetarian” mean?

A person who does not eat animal flesh, or, in some cases, use any animal products.

Is “vegetarian” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.