omnivorous
adjective
om·niv·o·rous
äm-ˈni-v(ə-)rəs 
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
Jude is an omnivorous consumer of social- media slop.
—
Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Although the species classified in this order are basically meat eaters, a substantial number of them, especially among bears and members of the raccoon family, also feed extensively on vegetation and are thus actually omnivorous.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Sharks are omnivorous, eating meat and plants — but are also known to eat anything, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
While under veterinary care, the fox is being fed a diet that includes produce, proteins and biscuit-like items suitable for an omnivorous species.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for omnivorous
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Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Although the species classified in this order are basically meat eaters, a substantial number of them, especially among bears and members of the raccoon family, also feed extensively on vegetation and are thus actually omnivorous.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Sharks are omnivorous, eating meat and plants — but are also known to eat anything, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
While under veterinary care, the fox is being fed a diet that includes produce, proteins and biscuit-like items suitable for an omnivorous species.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for omnivorous
Cite this Entry
“Omnivorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/omnivorous. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
omnivorous
adjective
om·niv·o·rous
äm-ˈniv-(ə-)rəs
: feeding on both animal and vegetable substances
Medical Definition
omnivorous
adjective
om·niv·o·rous
äm-ˈniv-(ə-)rəs
: eating both animal and plant matter
omnivorously
adverb
omnivorousness
noun
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