veggie
HighInformal
Definition
Meaning
A vegetable, or a person who does not eat meat or fish.
Anything related to vegetables, vegetarianism, or vegetarian food.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Informal, sometimes affectionate, noun or attributive adjective. Can refer to the food or the person. For a stricter vegetarian who avoids all animal products, 'vegan' is used.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more informal and perhaps more established in UK usage, especially as 'veggie' (person). In the US, 'veggie' is widely understood for the food item but the person might more commonly be called a 'vegetarian'.
Connotations
UK: Often used affectionately or matter-of-factly. US: Tends to be slightly more casual, focusing on the food item.
Frequency
High in both dialects for food; for people, slightly higher in UK.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ADJ + ~ (e.g., tasty veggie)~ + N (e.g., veggie pizza)be/become a ~ (person)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go veggie (to become a vegetarian)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Appears in casual marketing for restaurants/food products (e.g., 'Try our new veggie range!').
Academic
Not used; 'vegetable' or 'vegetarian' preferred.
Everyday
Very common in casual conversation about food and diets.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts like botany or nutrition science.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This form is not standard. The back-formation 'to veg' or 'veg out' means to relax/do nothing.
- He just vegged out in front of the telly all afternoon.
American English
- This form is not standard. The back-formation 'to veg' or 'veg out' means to relax.
- I'm just going to veg on the couch tonight.
adverb
British English
- This form is not standard.
American English
- This form is not standard.
adjective
British English
- We're having a veggie roast for Sunday lunch.
- Is there a veggie option on the menu?
American English
- I ordered the veggie chili.
- She's looking for veggie recipes.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I eat veggie soup.
- She is a veggie.
- Do you have any veggie burgers?
- He decided to go veggie last year.
- The café's veggie lasagne is surprisingly hearty.
- As a long-term veggie, she's an expert at reading food labels.
- The rise of flexitarianism has made the 'veggie option' a standard feature on most menus.
- Despite being a committed veggie, he found the ethical arguments for veganism increasingly persuasive.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'veg' + 'ie' (diminutive/cute ending). Like 'veggie' is the friendly, casual version of 'vegetable' or 'vegetarian'.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD FOR A LIFESTYLE (using the food name to label the person who eats it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'вегги' which is not standard. The Russian word for a vegetarian person is 'вегетарианец', and for the food it's 'овощи' or 'вегетарианский' as an adjective.
- 'Veggie burger' is not a 'бургер с овощами' (which implies meat with veggies) but a 'вегетарианский бургер'.
Common Mistakes
- Using in formal writing where 'vegetable' or 'vegetarian' is required.
- Confusing 'veggie' (often ovo-lacto vegetarian) with 'vegan' (avoids all animal products).
- Using as a verb incorrectly (e.g., 'I veggied yesterday').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'veggie' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be short for both, depending on context. 'Veggie burger' uses it for 'vegetarian'. 'Eat your veggies' uses it for 'vegetables'.
No, it is an informal term. Use 'vegetable' or 'vegetarian' in formal contexts like essays, reports, or official documents.
A 'veggie' (vegetarian) typically does not eat meat or fish but may eat animal products like dairy and eggs. A 'vegan' avoids all animal products, including dairy, eggs, and often honey and leather.
It is extremely common for both. The context usually makes it clear: 'a veggie' (person) vs. 'a veggie pizza' (food).