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

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

Led by vocalist Pierce Jordan’s viscid growl and sprawling lyrics, the omnivorous hardcore band stitch blast beats, power chords, and funk breaks into heavy tapestries. —Pitchfork, 1 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