What does vegan mean?
Vegan most commonly describes food, meals, and lifestyles that exclude ingredients derived from animals. A vegan is someone who follows such a diet, whether for ethical, environmental, health, or other reasons; the word can also describe a product, such as vegan chocolate, that contains no animal-derived ingredients. Because vegan excludes not only meat but also eggs, dairy, honey, and other animal products, it is distinct from the broader and older term vegetarian. The adjective is especially common as a label in menus, shops, and product packaging, while the noun is used for a person. In discussion, vegan often carries ethical and environmental associations, though it can simply describe ingredients or practices without endorsing a particular cause. The word is recognized in everyday British and American English and is also used in broader contexts, including clothing, cosmetics, and entertainment.
Involving or containing no animal-derived ingredients or products.
"The bakery began selling vegan croissants made with plant-based butter."
This is the most frequent use of the word. It can describe food and nonfood products, as well as a diet or lifestyle.
A person who avoids all food and other products derived from animals.
"The café warmly accommodated a young vegan who asked about hidden dairy ingredients."
The noun is common but less frequent than the attributive adjective.
The regular plural refers to multiple people who follow a vegan diet or lifestyle.
"The festival welcomed vegans from many countries."
Vegan was coined in 1944 as a name for people who excluded not only meat but also eggs, dairy, and other animal products.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vegan come from?
The English word vegan was coined in 1944 by the British animal-rights activist Donald Watson for people who avoided all animal products, including dairy and eggs. Its name combines the veget- element associated with vegetarian with the suffix -an. The vegetarian element ultimately connects with Latin vegetare, “to grow or animate,” through the vocabulary of vegetables and vegetation.
Related word forms
How vegan is actually used
Vegan is especially common as an attributive modifier in menus, shops, and product labels. The noun is less frequent but is regularly used for a person. In everyday English, the word can carry ethical and environmental associations, although it may also be used neutrally to describe ingredients or practices. It is used in both British and American English and may refer to nonfood products such as clothing, cosmetics, and entertainment.
Easily confused with vegan
A vegetarian avoids meat and fish but may eat eggs, dairy, and honey, whereas a vegan avoids all animal-derived products.