Word Finder
What's the word for an animal that feeds on both plants and meat?
The word you're looking for
omnivore /ˈɒmnɪvɔːr/
An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and meat. It is the best general word for this idea.
Other words that fit
Use this in very simple or informal speech, but it is not the standard scientific word.
Use this only if the animal mainly eats meat, not plants too.
Use this only if the animal eats plants only.
Why this word
The word you want is usually omnivore. It describes an animal that gets food from both plant matter and other animals. People often confuse it with carnivore and herbivore, but those are narrower words. In biology, omnivore is the common and correct term for mixed feeding.
In context
- Bears are omnivores.
- Humans are omnivores.
- Rats can be omnivores.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is an omnivore the same as a scavenger?
- No. An omnivore eats both plants and meat. A scavenger eats dead animals or waste food.
- Can humans be called omnivores?
- Yes, humans are often called omnivores because we eat both plant foods and meat.
- What is the opposite of omnivore?
- The closest opposites are herbivore, which eats plants, and carnivore, which eats meat.