flexitarian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral to Informal
Quick answer
What does “flexitarian” mean?
A person who follows a primarily but not strictly vegetarian diet, occasionally consuming meat or fish.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who follows a primarily but not strictly vegetarian diet, occasionally consuming meat or fish.
Refers to a dietary lifestyle centered on flexibility, allowing for a reduction in meat consumption for health, environmental, or ethical reasons without requiring complete abstinence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and recognition are very similar. The term is well-established in both varieties. Minor spelling or grammatical variations in example sentences may occur.
Connotations
Generally neutral to slightly positive, associated with conscious or mindful eating. Can be seen as pragmatic or non-dogmatic.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK media and lifestyle discourse, but common in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “flexitarian” in a Sentence
(to be) a flexitarianfollow a flexitarian dietadopt a flexitarian lifestyleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “flexitarian” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form in common use]
American English
- [No standard verb form in common use]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form in common use]
American English
- [No standard adverb form in common use]
adjective
British English
- The café added several flexitarian options to its menu.
- She maintains a flexitarian approach to eating.
American English
- This cookbook is full of flexitarian recipes.
- Their flexitarian lifestyle helped them reduce their carbon footprint.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing for food products, restaurant menus, and lifestyle brands targeting health-conscious consumers.
Academic
Appears in nutrition, environmental science, and sociology papers discussing dietary trends and sustainable food systems.
Everyday
Common in conversations about food preferences, diet choices, and lifestyle.
Technical
Not a technical medical or scientific classification; used descriptively in nutritional counseling.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flexitarian”
- Confusing with 'pescatarian' (eats fish but not other meat). Using as a verb (*'I flexitarian' is incorrect; 'I follow a flexitarian diet' is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A vegetarian avoids meat entirely, while a flexitarian primarily eats plant-based foods but occasionally includes meat or fish.
Common reasons include improving health, reducing environmental impact, saving money, or transitioning toward vegetarianism without strict rules.
There is no set rule; it varies by individual. It could range from once a day to once a month, but the key is a conscious reduction.
Yes, it is commonly used as both a noun ('She is a flexitarian') and an adjective ('a flexitarian diet').
A person who follows a primarily but not strictly vegetarian diet, occasionally consuming meat or fish.
Flexitarian is usually neutral to informal in register.
Flexitarian: in British English it is pronounced /ˌflɛk.sɪˈtɛː.ri.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌflɛk.səˈtɛr.i.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this neologism]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FLEXible vegeTARIAN. Someone who can flex their diet rules.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIET IS A SPECTRUM / EATING IS A CHOICE WITH DEGREES OF FREEDOM.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a flexitarian diet?