omnivore
B2Formal, Scientific, Figurative
Definition
Meaning
An animal or person that eats both plant and animal food.
A person who has wide-ranging interests or tastes, often in cultural consumption (e.g., books, music).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a zoological term. In extended use, it implies indiscriminate or voracious consumption of non-food items.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. The figurative extension is equally common.
Connotations
Neutral in biology, mildly positive or neutral in figurative use (suggesting curiosity).
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in US academic texts due to dietary discourse, but overall comparable.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Omnivore] + [verb: eats/consumes] + [food types][Be] + an omnivore + [in/with regard to] + [domain]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A cultural omnivore”
- “An omnivore's diet”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Figuratively: 'The company is a media omnivore, acquiring content across all platforms.'
Academic
Common in biology, ecology, anthropology. 'The evolution of early hominids into omnivores was key.'
Everyday
Used in dietary conversations. 'I'm not vegetarian; I'm an omnivore.' Figurative: 'He's a musical omnivore.'
Technical
Precise zoological classification: 'Ursus arctos is a facultative omnivore.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This species has evolved to omnivorise on available resources.
American English
- The bear will omnivorize depending on seasonal availability.
adverb
British English
- The raccoon feeds omnivorously from bins.
American English
- He reads omnivorously across genres.
adjective
British English
- Humans have omnivorous dietary habits.
American English
- She has an omnivorous appetite for news.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Bears are omnivores; they eat fish and berries.
- As an omnivore, I enjoy meals with both vegetables and meat.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
OMNI (all) + VORE (to devour) = devours all types of food.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMPTION IS EATING (e.g., 'She's an omnivorous reader').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'all-eating' (всеядный) – which is the correct translation, but the figurative use for interests is less common in Russian.
- Avoid calquing 'omnivore' as 'omnivor' – it's not a Russian word.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'omnivor', 'omnnivore'.
- Mispronunciation: stressing the second syllable.
- Using as a direct synonym for 'glutton' (which implies excess, not variety).
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, a 'cultural omnivore' is best described as someone who:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the primary, scientific meaning refers to animals (including humans), it is commonly used figuratively to describe people with broad, non-food-related interests (e.g., an omnivorous reader).
An 'omnivore' is defined by its physiological capability to eat both plants and animals. An 'opportunistic feeder' is defined by its behaviour of eating whatever is easily available, which may or may not include both plant and animal matter.
The standard adjective is 'omnivorous'. Using 'omnivore' as an adjective (e.g., 'an omnivore diet') is considered non-standard or colloquial.
Yes, human dentition, digestive systems, and nutritional requirements (e.g., for vitamin B12) clearly classify Homo sapiens as omnivores from a biological perspective.