non-vegetarian

IPA/nˈɒnvˌɛdʒɪtˈeəɹiən/
IPA/nˈɑːnvˌɛdʒɪtˈɛɹiən/

non-vegetarian — noun

1. someone whose usual meals include meat or fish, rather than following a vegetari

1.nounB1
Definition

someone whose usual meals include meat or fish, rather than following a vegetarian diet

Example

Eli is the only non-vegetarian in his flat, so he cooks separately.

the only non-vegetarian in [group]

At camp, each non-vegetarian received a burger while the others had bean patties.

Common collocations
  • the only non-vegetarian
  • fellow non-vegetarian
  • former non-vegetarian
  • non-vegetarian guest
Synonyms
  • meat-eater

    more everyday and direct; common in casual speech

  • omnivore

    broader and more scientific; often used in biology as well as diet talk

Antonyms
  • vegetarian

    someone who does not eat meat or fish

  • vegan

    someone who avoids all animal products, not just meat and fish

Grammar Patterns

be a non-vegetarian

the only non-vegetarian in [group]

Usage Note

Often used when a group includes both vegetarians and people who eat meat, especially on menus, travel lists, or event forms. In everyday conversation, many speakers choose the simpler noun 'meat-eater' instead.

Common Mistakes

My aunt is a non-vegetarian, so she does not eat fish.
My aunt is a vegetarian, so she does not eat fish.
A non-vegetarian does eat meat or fish, so the first sentence contradicts itself.

non-vegetarian — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Non-vegetarian is a neutral label used when the contrast with vegetarian food or people matters, especially on menus, forms, and travel plans. Meat-eater is more everyday and direct, so it sounds more natural in casual conversation about a person's habits. Omnivore is broader and more scientific: it means a person or animal that eats both plant and animal food, so it is less common in restaurant language. Pescatarian is different again, because pescatarians avoid meat but still eat fish, so they are not vegetarians yet may not want a clearly meat-heavy meal. Vegetarian is the opposite label for someone who avoids meat and fish. For example: 'Two guests are vegetarian, but the other three are non-vegetarian.'

meat-eater ↗omnivore ↗pescatarianvegetarian ↗

Etymology

Englishformed from non- + vegetarian

Non-vegetarian is a modern English formation built by adding the prefix non-, meaning 'not', to vegetarian. The base word vegetarian was coined in nineteenth-century English for someone who does not eat meat, so non-vegetarian developed as the straightforward opposite, especially in contexts like menus, school lunches, and travel planning where people need a quick food label.