Slang

vet

This page is about the slang term vet

American and Australian English

Meaning

veteran; someone who was in the armed forces during a war

For example

  • My uncle Joe fought in the Vietnam War in the 1960's, and every year he joins a gathering of Viet vets.

  • Every year Australian war vets march together on Anzac Day to remember their mates who died in a war.

Note:
"Vet" is also a common abbreviation for "veterinary surgeon" or "veterinarian", which means a person who medically treats animals.

Origin: short for "veteran"

Variety

This is typically used in American and Australian English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz

My dad's a World War Two vet and he sometimes tells us about his time

a. fighting in the army

b. studying World War Two

c. treating animals in the war
a) fighting in the army b) studying World War Two c) treating animals in the war

See Slang of the Day today

Contributor: Matt Errey