meatless

meatless — adjective

  • meatlesspositive
  • more meatlesscomparative
  • most meatlesssuperlative

1. prepared with no meat in it, or planned so that people do not eat meat.

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

prepared with no meat in it, or planned so that people do not eat meat.

Example

Hannah cooked a meatless curry with chickpeas, spinach, and coconut milk.

pattern: meatless + dish name

The school added two meatless lunches to the menu every week.

pattern: meatless + meal type

Common collocations
  • meatless meal
  • meatless diet
  • meatless menu
  • meatless soup
  • meatless curry
Synonyms
  • meat-free

    almost identical in meaning and often used on food labels or menus

  • vegetarian

    commonly describes a dish or option without meat, though it may still include eggs or dairy

  • plant-based

    often used in health or restaurant language and may suggest a broader focus on foods from plants

  • vegan

    stricter than 'meatless' because it excludes all animal products, not only meat

Antonyms
  • meat-based

    made with meat as a main part of the dish

  • meaty

    containing a lot of meat or having a strong meat quality

Grammar Patterns

meatless + meal / dish / soup / diet / menu

be + meatless

Usage Note

Usually describes food, meals, menus, or planned eating days. For a person who does not eat meat, say "vegetarian" instead.

Common Mistakes

I am meatless, so I won't order the steak.
I am vegetarian, so I won't order the steak.
'meatless' usually describes food or meals, not a person's identity.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

"Meatless" focuses on one food item, meal, or eating plan that has no meat in it. "Meat-free" is almost the same, but it is especially common on labels and menus. "Vegetarian" can also describe a dish without meat, but it often connects to a person's regular diet or to food that may still contain eggs or dairy. "Vegan" is stricter, because it excludes all animal products, not only meat. "Plant-based" often appears in health, lifestyle, or restaurant language and may sound more modern or marketing-driven. You can order a meatless soup for lunch, choose a vegetarian set meal, or follow a vegan diet for ethical reasons.

meat-freevegetarian ↗vegan ↗plant-based

Common collocations

Nouns

  • meatless meal
  • meatless menu
  • meatless dish
  • meatless diet

Adverbs

  • completely meatless

Phrases

  • go meatless for a week
  • keep Mondays meatless

Etymology

English

"Meatless" was formed in English by adding the suffix "-less" to "meat". From the start, it has meant "without meat," whether for one dish or for a whole meal plan.