Eggetarian means: Indian English portmanteau for a person who follows a vegetarian diet but also eats eggs. In India, where vegetarianism is often religiously motivated and strictly observed, the eggetarian category. It is mainly Indian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
eggetarian
Indian English portmanteau for a person who follows a vegetarian diet but also eats eggs.
Definitions
IN
#1·Apr 28, 2026IN
Indian English portmanteau for a person who follows a vegetarian diet but also eats eggs. In India, where vegetarianism is often religiously motivated and strictly observed, the eggetarian category serves as a meaningful middle ground between full vegetarianism and non-vegetarian diets. Widely used on restaurant menus and in everyday conversation in India.
She called herself eggetarian — no meat or fish, but eggs were fine.
Origin: Portmanteau of egg and vegetarian, coined in Indian English to describe this specific dietary category. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents
Eggetarian means: Indian English portmanteau for a person who follows a vegetarian diet but also eats eggs. In India, where vegetarianism is often religiously motivated and strictly observed, the eggetarian category. It is mainly Indian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.
For ESL learners
eggetarian means: Indian English portmanteau for a person who follows a vegetarian diet but also eats eggs. In India, where vegetarianism is often religiously motivated and strictly observed, the. Register: informal, Indian English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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Global
#2·Apr 27, 2026Global
(chiefly, India) lacto-ovo-vegetarian.
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Other words near "eggetarian" (E)
egg and spoon raceeggballegg banjoeggbeateregg-boundegg creamegg flipeggieegg in one's beereggplantegg rolleggs Benedict
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