omnivore
1 synonyms and 4 antonyms for omnivore, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An animal that eats both plant and animal food rather than being restricted to one or the other.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
An animal that eats both plant and animal food rather than being restricted to one or the other.
“Bears are omnivores, taking berries, roots, fish and carrion as the season allows.”
Opposites
2. noun
A person who eats meat as well as plant foods, as opposed to a vegetarian or vegan.
“The menu is designed so that omnivores and vegans can share the same table.”
Opposites
How to Use Omnivore
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral; used in biology and in everyday dietary talk.
Etymology
From Latin omnis 'all' and vorare 'to devour', so literally 'all-eating'.
Full origin of omnivore →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an omnivore and a carnivore?
A carnivore lives mainly or entirely on the flesh of other animals, while an omnivore digests both animal and plant matter and can survive on either. Many animals labelled carnivores, such as foxes, are in practice opportunistic omnivores.
Are humans really omnivores?
Yes, biologically. Human dentition, gut length and digestive enzymes suit a mixed diet, and populations worldwide have thrived on diets ranging from almost entirely animal to almost entirely plant. Being an omnivore describes what the body can process, not what any individual chooses to eat.
What is the adjective from omnivore?
Omnivorous. You can say 'raccoons are omnivorous' or 'she has omnivorous taste in music'.