Carnivores: meaning, definitions and examples

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carnivores

 

[ ˈkɑːrnəvɔːrz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

animals

Carnivores are animals that primarily feed on meat. They are often referred to as predators in the animal kingdom.

Synonyms

meat-eaters, predators.

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Word Description / Examples
carnivores

Used in scientific contexts or when talking about animals that primarily consume meat. It is a general term that includes both wild and domesticated species.

  • Lions, tigers, and sharks are all carnivores
  • The study of carnivores is essential for understanding ecosystem dynamics
predators

Used when talking about animals that hunt other animals for food. It emphasizes the hunting aspect and often has a more specific connotation.

  • Wolves are skilled predators, often hunting in packs
  • In the jungle, predators like jaguars lurk in the shadows
meat-eaters

Used in casual conversation or everyday language. It can refer to both humans and animals that eat meat.

  • My brother is a meat-eater; he loves steak and chicken
  • Meat-eaters play a crucial role in the food chain

Examples of usage

  • They have sharp teeth and claws to help them catch and eat their prey.
  • Lions, tigers, and wolves are examples of carnivores.

Translations

Translations of the word "carnivores" in other languages:

🇵🇹 carnívoros

🇮🇳 मांसाहारी

🇩🇪 Karnivoren

🇮🇩 karnivora

🇺🇦 м'ясоїди

🇵🇱 mięsożercy

🇯🇵 肉食動物 (にくしょくどうぶつ)

🇫🇷 carnivores

🇪🇸 carnívoros

🇹🇷 etoburlar

🇰🇷 육식 동물 (yuksik dongmul)

🇸🇦 آكلات اللحوم

🇨🇿 masožravci

🇸🇰 mäsožravce

🇨🇳 食肉动物 (shíròu dòngwù)

🇸🇮 mesojedci

🇮🇸 kjötætur

🇰🇿 жыртқыштар

🇬🇪 მტაცებლები

🇦🇿 ət yeyənlər

🇲🇽 carnívoros

Etymology

The term "carnivore" originated from the Latin words "caro" meaning flesh and "vorare" meaning to devour. It has been used in the English language since the 1840s to describe animals that primarily consume meat.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,098, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.