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.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
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
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“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.”
“At the barbecue party, everyone suddenly turned carnivorous, ignoring the salad completely.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.