Did you know?
The Classic Omnivore
Human beings seem to be classic omnivores. Originally living as "hunter-gatherers", we hunted and fished when possible but also gathered nuts, berries, fruits, seeds, and roots for much of our diet. We're physically well suited for both tasks; our hands are perfect for picking things, and our build is ideal for running down even the fastest game animals because of our great stamina. Some 10,000 years ago humans began practicing agriculture involving both animals and plants. The other omnivorous mammals include chimpanzees, pigs, opossums, porcupines, bears, raccoons, chipmunks, mice and rats, and skunks. But even many mammals classed as carnivorous turn out to be capable of shifting to plant foods when necessary.
Examples of omnivore in a Sentence
Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
North American river otters are omnivores, feeding on fish, turtles, crabs, mollusks, birds, oysters, shellfish, crayfish, frogs, rodents and insects.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
These stones suggest the dinosaur was an opportunistic omnivore, snacking on everything from prehistoric ferns to crunchy insects and small animals.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026
Rib-sticking beef and pork dishes are the stars of the menu; ropa vieja, a Cuban stew made with shredded beef braised in tomato sauce and pepper sofrito, is a must-order for carnivores and omnivores.
—Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for omnivore
Cite this Entry
“Omnivore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/omnivore. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
omnivore
noun
