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
In the evening, In the evening, it’s complemented by a five- or six-course dinner (which can be omnivorous or vegan), while at lunch, it’s set up with show cooking stations.
—
Ann Abel, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
While some species are omnivorous, most adult sea turtles are specialized feeders.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024
What Slugs Eat: Key Points The 40 species of slugs in North America can be omnivorous, herbivorous, carnivorous, or detritivorous.
—Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 29 Feb. 2024
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
Ann Abel, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
While some species are omnivorous, most adult sea turtles are specialized feeders.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024
What Slugs Eat: Key Points The 40 species of slugs in North America can be omnivorous, herbivorous, carnivorous, or detritivorous.
—Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 29 Feb. 2024
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
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
Dictionary Entries Near omnivorous
Cite this Entry
“Omnivorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/omnivorous. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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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