What does veggie mean?
Veggie is an informal English noun used primarily for a vegetable, particularly an edible plant or plant part such as a carrot, pea, or cabbage. It is especially common in conversational British and American English and may sound friendly, relaxed, or slightly childlike. “Veggie” can also be used informally for a vegetarian, although this sense is less frequent. The word often appears in food-related expressions such as “veggie burger” and “veggie sandwich,” as well as in the plural “veggies.” Its shortened form contrasts with the more formal or neutral “vegetable.” Veggie is useful for everyday speech because it conveys an informal, approachable tone while retaining a clear reference to plant-based food. Etymologically, it is a shortened form of “vegetable,” whose vocabulary connects with “vegetarian,” “vegetation,” and “vegetate.”
nounAn informal noun for a vegetable, especially a plant or part of a plant used as food. By extension, it can mean a vegetarian, especially in casual speech.
- A vegetable, especially one used as food.
- A vegetarian, particularly in informal speech.
"We ordered a veggie sandwich and a salad."
"The recipe calls for plenty of fresh veggies."
"She is a veggie who avoids meat and fish."
The standard plural of “veggie,” especially common in British and American everyday speech.
"She bought fresh veggies at the market."
Veggie is a tiny, friendly word with roots that stretch back to Latin plant-growing terminology.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does veggie come from?
“Veggie” is an informal shortened and altered form of “vegetable,” developed in 20th-century English. “Vegetable” came into English through Old French from Latin vegetabilis, meaning “growing” or “plant-like,” and ultimately relates to vegetare, “to grow.” The same Latin family of roots also underlies “vegetarian,” “vegetation,” and “vegetate.”
Related word forms
How veggie is actually used
Informal and often affectionate; it is common in everyday conversation but generally unsuitable for formal writing. The sense meaning a vegetarian is more casual and less common than the vegetable sense.
Easily confused with veggie
A vegan is a person who avoids all animal-derived foods, whereas a veggie can mean a vegetable or, informally, a vegetarian.