WordGarden.ioveggie
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /vˈɛdʒi/
US
- /ˈvɛdʒi/
Meanings
Noun
a vegetable
a vegetarian person
Adjective
made with vegetables or suitable for vegetarians
Beyond the definition
"Veggie" is a friendly, shortened way of saying "vegetable." Think of carrots, broccoli, and spinach, all those healthy plants we eat. It often comes up when people talk about meals, snacks, or side dishes, especially in everyday speech and with kids. For example, someone might say, "Eat your veggies," or "This soup has lots of veggies in it."
While it is informal, "veggie" is now very common in daily conversation and on restaurant menus. It can also describe food made for vegetarians, as in "veggie pizza" or "veggie burger." Sometimes people use it for a vegetarian person too, but that meaning is less clear, and "vegetarian" is usually the better word.
"Veggie" is an informal and endearing shortening of the word "vegetable," referring to any part of a plant that is consumed as food—including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or even botanical fruits. While tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are technically fruits, we almost always treat them like veggies in the kitchen.
The use of "veggie" is largely conversational and adds a touch of casualness to discussions about food. You will often hear it used by parents encouraging their children to eat their greens ("Eat your veggies!"), chefs describing vibrant dishes ("This stir-fry is loaded with fresh veggies"), or friends planning a meal ("Let's do a veggie burger night").
Beyond the food itself, "veggie" can also be used in phrases that mean vegetarian food, such as "veggie sandwich," "veggie curry," or "veggie option." In some cases, it may also refer to a person who follows a vegetarian diet. However, that use is less precise, and in formal settings or clear descriptions, "vegetarian" is usually the better choice.
Whether you are enjoying a side of steamed broccoli, planning a meatless meal, or simply shortening a word for convenience, "veggie" is a versatile and upbeat term that brings to mind healthy, plant-based goodness!
Examples
- 1
Healthy eating
I’m trying to eat more veggies during the week.
- 2
Cooking
Add the chopped veggies at the end so they stay crisp.
- 3
Restaurant order
We ordered a couple of veggie side dishes for the table.
- Phraseveggie side dish
a side dish made mainly with vegetables
- 4
Meatless food
This place makes a really good veggie burger.
- Phraseveggie burger
a burger made without meat
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Menu choices
Don’t worry, they’ve got a few veggie options on the menu.
- Phraseveggie option
a meal choice without meat
- 6
Personal diet
Ben’s been veggie since high school.
- Phrasebe veggie
be vegetarian
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- veggienoun