'vegetarian' originates from English, specifically coined in the mid-19th century and formed from the word 'vegetable' (ultimately from Latin 'vegetabilis') plus the suffix '-arian' (meaning 'relating to' or 'connected with').

'vegetarian' was coined around 1847 by members of the Vegetarian Society in England. 'Vegetable' itself comes from Latin 'vegetabilis' (from the verb 'vegetare' meaning 'to enliven'), passing into Old French and Middle English before forming the modern word.

Initially related to 'vegetable' or plant-based matters, the term evolved to refer specifically to a person who abstains from eating meat.