folivore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Scientific, Academic, Zoological
Quick answer
What does “folivore” mean?
An animal that primarily eats leaves.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An animal that primarily eats leaves.
An organism whose diet consists mainly or exclusively of foliage, often possessing specialized digestive adaptations (e.g., to handle high fiber or toxins).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Neutral, technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both dialects, used primarily in academic/technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “folivore” in a Sentence
[animal] is a folivore[animal] functions as a folivoreclassify/categorise as a folivoreVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “folivore” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The folivorous diet requires a long digestive tract.
- Koalas are folivorous marsupials.
American English
- The folivorous diet requires a long digestive tract.
- Sloths are folivorous mammals.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in ecology, zoology, and biology to precisely describe dietary niches.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in relevant scientific literature.
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “folivore”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “folivore”
- Pronouncing as /fɒlɪvɔː/ (like 'follow'), instead of /ˈfəʊlɪvɔː/.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'herbivore'.
- Spelling as 'folivore' or 'follivore'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Herbivore' is a broad category for plant-eaters. 'Folivore' is a specific subcategory for animals that eat primarily leaves.
No. Humans are omnivores. 'Folivore' describes a specific ecological niche and digestive adaptation not found in humans.
/ˈfəʊlɪvɔː/ (FOH-li-vor).
The adjective is 'folivorous' (e.g., a folivorous animal).
An animal that primarily eats leaves.
Folivore is usually scientific, academic, zoological in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'FOLIage deVOURer'. FOLI + VORE. Vore means 'to devour' as in carnivore. It eats foliage.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these animals is NOT typically considered a folivore?