vet

IPA/vet/
KK[vˈɛt]IPA/vet/

vet — noun

  • vetsingular
  • vetsplural

1. an animal doctor who checks, treats, and advises on the health of pets, farm ani

1.nounA2
Definition

an animal doctor who checks, treats, and advises on the health of pets, farm animals, and other creatures

Example

Élise took the rabbit to the vet when it stopped eating.

take an animal to the vet

The vet cleaned the dog's paw and wrapped it in a bandage.

Common collocations
  • take a pet to the vet
  • call the vet
  • emergency vet
  • local vet
Synonyms
  • veterinarian

    the full and more formal word for this job

  • animal doctor

    plain explanatory phrase rather than the standard job title

Usage Note

Used for a medical professional who treats animals. Common patterns include "take the dog to the vet" and "call the vet," not references to human patients.

Common Mistakes

We took my little brother to the vet after he fell.
We took my little brother to the doctor after he fell.
'vet' is used for animals, not people.

2. the clinic or room where a vet sees animals and talks to their owners

2.nounA2
Definition

the clinic or room where a vet sees animals and talks to their owners

Example

We waited outside the vet because two nervous dogs were inside.

at the vet = at the clinic

At the vet, Mira filled out a form for her new kitten.

Common collocations
  • at the vet
  • go to the vet
  • wait at the vet
  • appointment at the vet
Synonyms
  • clinic

    broader medical place word; can be larger than one vet's office

  • surgery

    British English word for a doctor's or vet's office

Usage Note

In phrases such as "at the vet" or "go to the vet," the word can mean the place, not the person. This meaning is common when talking about appointments, waiting, or dropping something off.

Common Mistakes

We met at the vet doctor after school.
We met at the vet after school.
'the vet' can already mean the clinic or office.

3. someone who used to serve in the army, navy, or another branch of the military

3.nounB2
Definition

someone who used to serve in the army, navy, or another branch of the military

Example

The town honored local vets at the parade on Memorial Day.

informal plural: vets = veterans

My uncle is a vet who still meets his army friends every spring.

Common collocations
  • war vet
  • army vet
  • disabled vet
  • local vets
Synonyms
  • veteran

    the full, neutral word

  • former soldier

    narrower, because 'vet' can also include sailors and air force members

Antonyms
  • civilian

    someone who is not serving in the armed forces

Usage Note

Usually an informal short form of "veteran" when talking about military service. It does not normally mean simply an experienced worker in another field.

Common Mistakes

She's a math vet after twenty years of teaching.
She's a teaching veteran after twenty years of teaching.
this short form usually refers to former members of the armed forces.

vet — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

"Vet" means checking something carefully before you decide to trust, use, or accept it. "Screen" is close, but it is especially common for applicants, calls, and results that are being filtered. "Review" is broader and can simply mean looking at something again, without a gatekeeping decision. "Inspect" stresses close examination, often of physical things, while "evaluate" focuses on judging quality or value. "Approve" is not a synonym but the next step after vetting is finished. You might vet a volunteer list, screen job applications, inspect a machine, and then approve the final choice.

screen ↗review ↗inspect ↗evaluate ↗approve ↗

Etymology

LatinEnglish

"Vet" is a shortened form of two different English words. The animal-doctor noun and the animal-treatment verb come from "veterinarian." The checking verb grew from the idea of examining an animal carefully before it was accepted, sold, or trusted. The military noun is a separate short form of "veteran." So the modern word brings together two different histories that happen to share the same spelling.