omnivorous

adjective

om·​niv·​o·​rous äm-ˈni-v(ə-)rəs How to pronounce omnivorous (audio)
1
: feeding on both animal and vegetable substances
omnivorous animals
2
: avidly taking in everything as if devouring or consuming
an omnivorous reader
omnivorous curiosity
omnivorously adverb

Examples of omnivorous in a Sentence

She is an omnivorous reader. a child with omnivorous curiosity
Recent Examples on the Web During most of the year, these omnivorous wasps will look for prey in the form of other insects, especially caterpillars, grubs, and flies. Dan Nosowitz, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2024 Most felt judged or misunderstood by omnivorous partners in past relationships. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 25 July 2023 Their omnivorous nature leads chimps to dine on a buffet of fruits, nuts, figs, seeds, leaves, roots, flowers, and insects, occasionally complemented by smaller animals and eggs. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 30 Jan. 2024 The giant sloth’s environment was home to an abundant supply of herbivores, which the omnivorous sloths likely hunted for food, dispatching their prey with seven-inch claws. Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024 This is because channel catfish are omnivorous and opportunistic by nature. Outdoor Life, 30 Nov. 2023 There’s a raging debate among pet owners and even in some veterinary circles as to whether or not dogs are 100% carnivorous or omnivorous, but what remains clear is that the quality of the dog’s food makes a huge difference in their health. Arthur Williams, Discover Magazine, 18 Oct. 2022 Both are omnivorous bottom feeders that can grow to large sizes. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Aug. 2023 How black bears clawed their way back The American black bear, an omnivorous mammal with fur that actually ranges from black to shades of brown and even blonde, was once ubiquitous across much of the continent. Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'omnivorous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin omnivorus, from omni- + -vorus -vorous

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of omnivorous was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near omnivorous

Cite this Entry

“Omnivorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/omnivorous. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

omnivorous

adjective
om·​niv·​o·​rous äm-ˈniv-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce omnivorous (audio)
: feeding on both animal and vegetable substances

Medical Definition

omnivorous

adjective
om·​niv·​o·​rous äm-ˈniv-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce omnivorous (audio)
: eating both animal and plant matter
omnivorously adverb
omnivorousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on omnivorous

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