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

Meals are farm-to-table and served buffet-style, with omnivorous or vegan options. —Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026

Workshops, massages, meditation and natural hot spring baths anchor the experience, with farm-to-table buffet meals offered in omnivorous or vegan options. —Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026

As far as food goes, yellow jackets are omnivorous insects that primarily feed on insects and other protein sources during their larval stage. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Apr. 2026

Jude is an omnivorous consumer of social- media slop. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 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