What does flexitarianism mean?
Flexitarianism is the practice of eating a mainly vegetarian diet while allowing occasional meat or fish. Coined by blending 'flexible' and 'vegetarian', the term describes a pragmatic approach to eating that has grown rapidly since the early twenty-first century, driven by concerns about health, animal welfare, and the environmental cost of meat production. Unlike vegetarianism or veganism, flexitarianism imposes no absolute prohibitions; its defining feature is precisely its flexibility, which makes it accessible to people unwilling to commit to a fully plant-based diet. The word is generally neutral in tone and appears frequently in food journalism, dietary research, and food-industry marketing, where the rise of 'flexitarians' has reshaped demand for plant-based products. Though some critics consider the label vague, flexitarianism captures a genuine and influential shift in modern eating habits.
nounFlexitarianism is the practice of following a primarily vegetarian diet while occasionally eating meat or fish. It denotes a flexible, semi-vegetarian approach to eating rather than a strict dietary rule.
- The dietary practice of eating a predominantly vegetarian diet while occasionally consuming meat or fish.
- More broadly, a flexible, non-dogmatic approach to food choices associated with reducing meat consumption for health or environmental reasons.
"Her gradual shift toward flexitarianism began with giving up meat during the week."
"Flexitarianism appeals to people who want to cut their meat intake without committing to full vegetarianism."
"The report credited the rise of flexitarianism with driving demand for plant-based products in supermarkets."
Flexitarianism is normally uncountable and has no plural in standard use. A rare plural is conceivable only when contrasting distinct versions of the practice.
"Different regions have developed their own flexitarianisms, each with different rules about how often meat may appear on the table."
Coined from 'flexible' plus 'vegetarian', flexitarianism became so mainstream that it was named a word of the year contender — proof that the middle ground can be a movement of its own.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of flexitarianism
The word flexitarianism derives from flexitarian, a blend of 'flexible' and 'vegetarian' formed in English, most likely in the United States in the early 1990s; the related term 'Flexitarian' was reportedly used in a 1992 Healthy Eating Journal context, though early attestations vary. The element 'flexible' ultimately traces back to Latin flectere ('to bend'), which also gives us 'flexion', 'reflect', and 'deflect'. The suffix '-ism' marks it as a name for a practice or system of eating, parallel to 'vegetarianism' and 'veganism'.
Related word forms
How flexitarianism is actually used
The term is informal to neutral in register and common in food writing, health reporting, and marketing. It carries few negative connotations, though some strict vegetarians view it as an imprecise or half-hearted label. The word is uncountable; the underlying term 'flexitarian' functions as both noun and adjective.
Easily confused with flexitarianism
Vegetarianism excludes meat and fish entirely, whereas flexitarianism permits them occasionally.
Veganism excludes all animal products, including dairy and eggs, while flexitarianism only limits meat rather than banning any food group.