vegan
VEE-guhn
/ˈviːɡən/
A person who does not eat or use any animal products; relating to this lifestyle.
Unlike 'vegetarian', 'vegan' extends beyond diet to include clothing and household products, reflecting a total avoidance of animal exploitation.
The story behind the word. In 1944, Donald Watson felt 'vegetarian' didn't go far enough. He took the first three letters (VEG) and the last two letters (AN) of 'vegetarian' to symbolize that veganism was the logical conclusion of the vegetarian journey.
Word relationships
- strict vegetarian: Focuses primarily on the dietary aspect rather than the broader lifestyle philosophy.
- carnivore: An organism that eats only meat, the direct opposite of a vegan's plant-only approach.
Commonly confused with
- vegetarian: Vegetarians avoid meat but may consume eggs, honey, and dairy; vegans avoid all animal-derived substances.
Word family
- veganism (noun): The practice of being a vegan.
- veganize (verb): To make a recipe or product suitable for vegans.
Collocations
- vegan diet
- vegan leather
- strictly vegan
- vegan lifestyle
Example sentences
- "The word 'vegan' was coined by Donald Watson in 1944 to denote 'the beginning and end of vegetarian'." Historical origin of the term.
- "She decided to go vegan after learning about the environmental impact of the dairy industry." Modern lifestyle choice.
Memory hook
Think of the 'V' at the beginning and 'N' at the end of 'VegetariaN'—it's the start and finish of the plant-based journey. The beginning and end of vegetarian.
When not to use
Do not use to describe someone who only avoids meat but still eats eggs or dairy; that is a 'vegetarian'.
Fun facts
- The first vegan society was formed in Leicester, England, during World War II.
- November 1st is celebrated globally as World Vegan Day.
Related words
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