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

Two of the diets were omnivorous—meaning participants ate foods from an equal mix of plant and animal sources—and two were semi-vegetarian, where 70% of the protein came from plant sources. — Korin Miller, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026

Many ex-addicts turn to religion, exchanging one inflexible code for another; John’s own post-heroin spiritual exercises were omnivorous. — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

The breakthrough metalcore band’s latest is hampered by its own omnivorous ambition and bafflingly muddy production. — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026

Alex Ross dives into the œuvre of a thinker whose work was omnivorous, exacting, and hopeful. — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin omnivorus, from omni- + -vorus -vorous

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for omnivorous

• carnivorous
• herbivorous
• insectivorous

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