# predatory

/ˈpɹɛdəˌtɔɹi/ (US) · /pɹˈɛdətəɹˌi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/predatory
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. animals hunting for food

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

describes animals that live by killing and eating other animals.

For teachers: relating to or characterized by the practice of preying on other organisms for food.

- The eagle is a predatory bird that hunts small mammals from the sky.
- The introduction of predatory species into the isolated island ecosystem led to a rapid decline in the native flightless bird population.

Usage: Often used in biological contexts to describe a species' place in the food chain.

### 3. looking like a hunter

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

having a look or manner that suggests you are looking for something to attack or take.

For teachers: suggestive of a predator in appearance or manner; often used to describe a facial expression or gaze.

- He watched the other players with a predatory smile, waiting for them to make a mistake.
- There was something predatory in the way the investor surveyed the struggling startup, as if he were measuring it for a hostile takeover.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used in literature to create a sense of danger or unease around a character.

## Examples

- The owl is a predatory bird that hunts at night.
- Consumer groups warned against predatory lending practices that target people with low credit scores.
- The documentary explores how predatory corporations often exploit legal loopholes to extract resources from developing nations without providing fair compensation to local communities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.