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View synonyms for carnivorous

carnivorous

[ kahr-niv-er-uhs ]

adjective

  1. flesh-eating:

    A dog is a carnivorous animal.

    Synonyms: predacious, predatory

  2. of the carnivores.


carnivorous

/ kɑːˈnɪvərəs /

adjective

  1. (esp of animals) feeding on flesh
  2. (of plants such as the pitcher plant and sundew) able to trap and digest insects and other small animals
  3. of or relating to the Carnivora
  4. informal.
    aggressively ambitious or reactionary


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Derived Forms

  • carˈnivorousness, noun
  • carˈnivorously, adverb

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Other Words From

  • car·nivo·rism noun
  • car·nivo·rous·ly adverb
  • car·nivo·rous·ness noun
  • noncar·nivo·rous adjective
  • noncar·nivo·rous·ly adverb
  • noncar·nivo·rous·ness noun
  • uncar·nivo·rous adjective
  • uncar·nivo·rous·ly adverb
  • uncar·nivo·rous·ness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of carnivorous1

1640–50; < Latin carnivorus, equivalent to carni- (combining form of carō flesh) + -vorus -vorous

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Word History and Origins

Origin of carnivorous1

C17: from Latin carnivorus, from carō flesh + vorāre to consume

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Example Sentences

The Yellowstone grizzly is one of the more carnivorous interior bear populations in North America.

“Lots of vegetarians have got a carnivorous streak,” she said.

See how Psy, Lady Gaga, and a carnivorous toddler stack up on the most-watched list.

The human barrier of overturned cars and debris was swarming with carnivorous automatons.

This delicious vegetarian-friendly dish will satisfy even the most carnivorous of crews.

It is evident that many of them might readily become carnivorous to a large extent under suitable conditions.

Among the carnivorous mammals the social dog or wolf tribe displays the intelligent habit of mutual aid.

The Ternat bats are carnivorous animals, voracious, and possessed of an appetite for every thing that offers.

These baboons though mischievious and ferocious, are not carnivorous; they principally feed upon fruits, roots, and corn.

They are, indeed, among our most valuable sea scavengers, although they are carnivorous hunters as well.

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carnivorecarnose