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The Classic Omnivore
Human beings seem to be classic omnivores. Originally living as "hunter-gatherers", we hunted and fished when possible but also gathered nuts, berries, fruits, seeds, and roots for much of our diet. We're physically well suited for both tasks; our hands are perfect for picking things, and our build is ideal for running down even the fastest game animals because of our great stamina. Some 10,000 years ago humans began practicing agriculture involving both animals and plants. The other omnivorous mammals include chimpanzees, pigs, opossums, porcupines, bears, raccoons, chipmunks, mice and rats, and skunks. But even many mammals classed as carnivorous turn out to be capable of shifting to plant foods when necessary.
Examples of omnivore in a Sentence
M.d. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2025
Card-carrying herbivores, seed-eaters, and omnivores switched to a cicada-heavy diet during a brood emergence in Washington, D.C., in 2021, according to Martha Weiss, a professor of biology at George Washington University.
—Sarah Henry, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2025
But slugs can be beneficial omnivores that feed on algae, fungi, decomposing organic matter and plants.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
But no discussion of a large omnivore that can grow in excess of 500 pounds can stop at policy.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 23 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Omnivore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/omnivore. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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omnivore
noun
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