herbivore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal, academic, technical, everyday (in educational/zoological contexts)
Quick answer
What does “herbivore” mean?
An animal that eats only plants.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An animal that eats only plants.
In broader contexts, a person or organization that avoids something specific (e.g., a 'carb-herbivore' for someone avoiding carbohydrates); also used figuratively to describe entities that consume plant-based resources.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The pronunciation of the initial 'h' is standard in both, unlike the word 'herb' (plant) where the 'h' is silent in American English.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. In casual figurative use, both varieties apply it similarly.
Frequency
Equally common in scientific and educational contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “herbivore” in a Sentence
[herbivore] + of + [plant type/ecosystem] (e.g., herbivore of the grasslands)[herbivore] + that/which + verbbe + [a/an] + [adjective] + herbivoreVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “herbivore” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No direct verb form; 'herbivorise' is non-standard.)
American English
- (No direct verb form.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb form.)
American English
- (No adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- The herbivore diet is rich in cellulose.
- Herbivore mammals have specialised digestive systems.
American English
- Herbivore dinosaurs like Triceratops had massive jaws.
- Studying herbivore behavior in the savanna.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in sustainable agriculture or alternative food industries (e.g., 'catering to the herbivore market').
Academic
Common in biology, ecology, zoology, paleontology, and environmental science texts.
Everyday
Used in general knowledge, educational settings, documentaries, and discussions about diet or animals.
Technical
Core term in biological classification and ecological modelling (e.g., 'primary consumer', 'herbivore biomass').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “herbivore”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “herbivore”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “herbivore”
- Misspelling as 'herbavor', 'herbivor'.
- Mispronouncing with a silent 'h' (as in the American 'herb') – the 'h' in 'herbivore' is always pronounced.
- Using it to describe humans who eat plants (use 'vegetarian' or 'vegan' instead).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, technically. The term 'herbivore' is a biological classification for animals whose natural diet consists exclusively of plants. For humans who choose a plant-based diet, the terms 'vegetarian' or 'vegan' are used.
Yes. Unlike the word 'herb' (plant) where American English drops the 'h', the 'h' in 'herbivore' is always pronounced in both British and American English.
Both are types of herbivores. 'Grazers' (like cows) primarily eat grass and low-growing vegetation. 'Browsers' (like giraffes) eat leaves, soft shoots, and fruits from trees and shrubs.
Yes, absolutely. Many insects, such as caterpillars, aphids, and grasshoppers, are herbivores and are major consumers in many ecosystems.
An animal that eats only plants.
Herbivore is usually formal, academic, technical, everyday (in educational/zoological contexts) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HERB' (plant) + 'VORE' (to devour) = plant-devourer. Link 'herb' to herbs and plants, and 'vore' to 'devour' or 'carnivore'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMER AS EATER (e.g., 'The company is a data herbivore, consuming only public information.').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate definition of a herbivore?