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vegetarian

/ˈvɛdʒəˌtɛriən/

/vɛdʒɛˈtɛriən/

Other forms: vegetarians

A vegetarian is someone who doesn't eat any meat, including fish. Many vegetarians eat plenty of fruits and vegetables — but others subsist on pizza and mac and cheese.

This is a word that has to do with diet — what people eat. Vegetarians avoid meat, usually for health reasons, for environmental reasons, or because they believe it's wrong to kill animals for food. Vegetarians will eat some animal products, like eggs and dairy, but vegans won't. Both vegetarian and vegan diets are becoming more common. Many animals are vegetarians, including our close relative, the gorilla.

Definitions of vegetarian
  1. noun
    eater of fruits and grains and nuts; someone who eats no meat or fish or (often) any animal products
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    types:
    vegan
    a strict vegetarian; someone who does not consume or use any animal products
    type of:
    eater, feeder
    someone who consumes food for nourishment
  2. adjective
    consuming a diet without meat, poultry, or fish
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    Antonyms:
    omnivorous
    feeding on both plants and animals
    all-devouring
    (of animals) both plant-eating and flesh-eating
    show more antonyms...
  3. adjective
    containing no meat, poultry, or fish
Pronunciation
US

/ˈvɛdʒəˌtɛriən/

UK

/vɛdʒɛˈtɛriən/

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