What does carnivorous mean?
Carnivorous describes organisms that feed on the flesh of other animals. Applied to animals such as lions, sharks, and hawks, it denotes a meat-based diet, in contrast to herbivorous (plant-eating) and omnivorous (eating both). The term also extends to certain plants — famously the Venus flytrap and various pitcher plants — which capture and digest insects to supplement the poor nutrient content of their soils. Beyond biology, carnivorous can be used figuratively to describe fiercely competitive, predatory, or rapaciously ambitious behavior, as in a 'carnivorous' corporate culture, though this usage carries a strongly negative connotation. Derived from Latin roots meaning 'flesh-devouring', the word entered English in the seventeenth century and remains standard in both scientific writing and everyday speech. Its noun form, carnivore, is widely used both technically, for members of the order Carnivora, and informally, for anyone who eats meat.
adjectiveFeeding on the flesh of other animals; meat-eating. Also used of plants that trap and digest insects and other small animals.
- Of an animal: feeding on the flesh of other animals; meat-eating.
- Of a plant: trapping and digesting insects or other small organisms for nutrients.
- Figuratively: aggressive, predatory, or ruthlessly competitive in behavior.
"The carnivorous lion stalked its prey through the tall grass."
"Tigers are carnivorous mammals that hunt primarily at night."
"The bog is home to several species of carnivorous plants, including sundews and pitcher plants."
Some plants are carnivorous too — the Venus flytrap counts insects among its meals, not just lions and wolves.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of carnivorous
Carnivorous derives from Latin carn- ('flesh') combined with vorare ('to devour'), the same root that gives English 'voracious'. It was formed from these Latin elements, likely via a Neo-Latin adjective, and entered English in the early modern period, appearing in scientific and natural-history writing by the seventeenth century. It shares its 'flesh' root with cognates such as carnival, carnage, carnal, and incarnate, all ultimately traceable to Latin caro, carnis.
Related word forms
How carnivorous is actually used
A formal-to-neutral scientific and general term. When applied to people it is almost always figurative and carries a connotation of aggression or voraciousness, so use with care to avoid unintended insult. In biology, 'carnivore' (noun) is often preferred when classifying animals by diet.
Easily confused with carnivorous
'Carnal' relates to bodily, especially sexual, appetites, while 'carnivorous' specifically means flesh-eating.