Word
carnivore
Phoneticscar·ni·vore, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɑɹnɪˌvɔɹ/
UK/kˈɑːnɪvˌɔː/
Countable noun
Definition
n. an animal or person that eats meat. You use this to describe creatures that hunt or eat other animals to survive.
n. an organism that primarily or exclusively derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue.
Examples
“A lion is a famous carnivore.”
“While some bears eat both plants and meat, the polar bear is almost strictly a carnivore due to its arctic environment.”
“In a balanced ecosystem, the population of a top carnivore is naturally limited by the availability of prey species further down the food chain.”
Examples
simple
“A lion is a famous carnivore.”
contextual
“While some bears eat both plants and meat, the polar bear is almost strictly a carnivore due to its arctic environment.”
complex
“In a balanced ecosystem, the population of a top carnivore is naturally limited by the availability of prey species further down the food chain.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “carnivore” in context.
Verb
01. carnivore hunt
“The carnivore hunts primarily at night to avoid detection by its prey.”
noun + verb
02. carnivore scavenge
“When fresh meat is unavailable, the carnivore will scavenge for remains.”
noun + verb
03. protect carnivore
“New laws were passed to protect carnivores from illegal poaching.”
verb + noun
04. study carnivore
“Biologists spent years in the field to study carnivore hunting patterns.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. apex carnivore
“The lion is a classic example of an apex carnivore at the top of the food chain.”
adj + noun
06. large carnivore
“Conservationists are working to protect large carnivores like wolves and bears.”
adj + noun
07. obligate carnivore
“Domestic cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require meat to survive.”
adj + noun
08. terrestrial carnivore
“The polar bear is the largest terrestrial carnivore currently in existence.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. diet of carnivore
“The diet of a carnivore consists almost exclusively of animal tissue.”
noun + prep + noun
10. reintroduce carnivores into the wild
“There are controversial plans to reintroduce carnivores into the wild forest areas.”
11. top of the food chain
“As an apex carnivore, the shark sits at the top of the food chain.”
Usage
Often used in contrast with 'herbivore' (plant-eater) and 'omnivore' (eats both).
Real-World Examples
“The dinosaur, named Invictibellatrix amberina, is described in a new paper in the journal Royal Society Open Science and belongs to a group of agile, two-legged carnivores called megaraptorans.” “They also provide food for carnivores like African wolves and cheetahs, she says.” “The carnivore diet takes “low-carb” to its extreme, eliminating all plant foods in favor of meat, eggs, and dairy.” “Chaffee is one of the leading exponents of the carnivore diet, the latest trend in the wellness universe, in which people claim they turned around their health – and their lives – by eating bowls piled high with ground beef and boiled eggs.” Etymology
Borrowed from the French carnivore, which derives from the Latin carnivorus. In its specific zoological sense, the term was adopted in 1840 by William Whewell, who adapted the French coinage carnivore previously established by Georges Cuvier.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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