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

Sign up As omnivorous eaters, an unchecked population of stoats also poses a threat to mice, rabbits, hedgehogs and birds, including Orkney's population of curlews and hen harriers. —Abby Wilson, theweek, 1 Nov. 2024

The neo-Pagan and Satanist has been practicing Eclectic witchcraft, an omnivorous tradition that blends numerous magical and spiritual approaches, for over a decade. —Emma Cieslik, Them, 1 Nov. 2024

And unlike their polar kin, black bears are omnivorous. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

High end cuisine that used no animal products was a rogue yet appealing concept, and Cohen filled seats with veggie lovers and omnivorous skeptics alike. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin omnivorus, from omni- + -vorus -vorous

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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