Meaning & use

omnivorous

adjective·Academic

Eating a wide variety of food, including both plants and animals, rather than only one type.

See it in a sentence

Bears are omnivorous, feeding on berries, fish, and small mammals depending on the season.

Humans are naturally omnivorous, capable of digesting both meat and plant-based foods efficiently.

A note on using this word

Omnivorous applies literally to diet and figuratively to broad, indiscriminate interests, especially in reading or learning.

Words with a similar meaning

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Words with an opposite meaning

herbivorouscarnivorous

Another way to use it

2. adjective

Consuming or taking in a wide variety of things eagerly, especially ideas, information, or entertainment.

His omnivorous reading habits took him from ancient history to detective fiction within a single week.

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