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Synonyms

omnivorous

American  
[om-niv-er-uhs] / ɒmˈnɪv ər əs /

adjective

  1. eating both animal and plant foods.

  2. eating all kinds of foods indiscriminately.

  3. taking in everything, as with the mind.

    an omnivorous reader.


omnivorous British  
/ ɒmˈnɪvərəs /

adjective

  1. eating food of both animal and vegetable origin, or any type of food indiscriminately

  2. taking in or assimilating everything, esp with the mind

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • omnivorism noun
  • omnivorously adverb
  • omnivorousness noun

Etymology

Origin of omnivorous

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin omnivorus “all-devouring”; equivalent to omni- + -vorous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They took an omnivorous approach to recording, performing spoken-word jams and a radio play and covering Bruce Springsteen and Christmas standards.

From Los Angeles Times

These include improved markers of cardiovascular health when compared with omnivorous diets that include meat, fish, and other animal-derived foods.

From Science Daily

What it offered instead was a point of view, one that was visionary and omnivorous.

From Los Angeles Times

But Stoppard has left theatrical riches that will entice audiences for generations through their intellectual exuberance, preternatural eloquence and omnivorous delight.

From Los Angeles Times

Chimps, Goodall went on to discover, are omnivorous, just like us.

From Salon