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carnivorous — (of an animal) feeding on the flesh of other animals; meat-eating

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: (of an animal) feeding on the flesh of other animals; meat-eating

Pronunciation (IPA): /kɑːrˈnɪvərəs/

Example Sentences

  • My little brother is so carnivorous he refuses to eat anything green.
  • The Venus flytrap is a famous carnivorous plant that traps and digests insects.
  • Wolves are carnivorous mammals that travel in packs to hunt prey.

carnivorous

ADJECTIVE

[/kɑːrˈnɪvərəs/]

(of an animal) feeding on the flesh of other animals; meat-eating

The carnivorous lion tears into its fresh kill on the savanna.
💡 Concept

The carnivorous lion tears into its fresh kill on the savanna.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/kɑːrˈnɪvərəs/
🇬🇧 UK/kɑːˈnɪvərəs/

🌳Etymology

Rootcarn/vor
Suffix--ous

Origin

Carnivorous derives from Latin 'caro' (flesh, meat) and 'vorare' (to eat, to devour), literally meaning 'meat-eating'. The term was formed in Latin to describe animals whose diet consists primarily of flesh, and it shares its root 'caro' with related English words such as carnage and carnival.

Breakdown

carn- (from Latin 'caro', meaning meat) + -vor- (from Latin 'vorare', meaning to eat or devour) + -ous (suffix forming adjectives). The combination yields 'meat-eating' or 'flesh-devouring'.

🎵Rhyme

herbivorous
omnivorous
voracious

🔗Collocations

carnivorous animal
carnivorous plant
carnivorous diet
strictly carnivorous
carnivorous species
carnivorous predator

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My little brother is so carnivorous he refuses to eat anything green.”

“The Venus flytrap is a famous carnivorous plant that traps and digests insects.”

“Wolves are carnivorous mammals that travel in packs to hunt prey.”

😄 Fun example

“At the barbecue party, everyone suddenly turned carnivorous, ignoring the salad completely.”

📚Related Words

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