carnivorous

adjective

car·​niv·​o·​rous kär-ˈni-v(ə-)rəs 

1

: subsisting or feeding on animal tissues

2

of a plant : subsisting on nutrients obtained from the breakdown of animal protoplasm (as of insects)

3

: of or relating to the carnivores

4

: rapacious

carnivorously adverb

carnivorousness noun

carnivory

kär-ˈni-və-rē 

noun

Did you know?

The order of mammals that Linnaeus named the Carnivora includes such families as the dogs, the bears, the raccoons, the weasels, the hyenas, the cats, and the seals. Most carnivores eat only meat in the wild, but some have varied diets; some bears, for instance, normally eat far more vegetation than meat. Carnivores have powerful jaws and complex teeth, and most are highly intelligent. Humans, like their ape cousins, are basically omnivores.

Examples of carnivorous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Living alongside a spider is not an intuitive life choice for a caterpillar, given that spiders are also carnivorous. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025

Having a living species of carnivorous caterpillars allows scientists to do genetic testing and find out what evolutionary changes are necessary for this unique behavior. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025

Scientists in Hawaii have discovered a new and rare species of carnivorous, bone-collecting caterpillars. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025

This image provided by Daniel Rubinoff in April 2025 shows protective cases made with insect parts that are created by a new species of carnivorous caterpillar. —CBS News, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin carnivorus, from carn-, caro + -vorus -vorous

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for carnivorous

• herbivorous
• omnivorous
• insectivorous

Kids Definition

carnivorous

adjective

car·​niv·​o·​rous kär-ˈniv-(ə-)rəs 

1

a

: feeding on animal tissues

b

: trapping and digesting insects

carnivorous plants

2

: of or relating to the carnivores

Medical Definition

carnivorous

adjective

car·​niv·​o·​rous kär-ˈniv-(ə-)rəs 

1

: subsisting or feeding on animal tissues

2

: of or relating to the carnivores

carnivorously adverb

carnivorousness noun