Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /hɜːrˈbɪvərəs/
KK: /hɜrˈbɪvərəs/
Definition
This word describes animals that eat only plants and do not consume meat.
Example
Cows are herbivorous animals that graze on grass.
Conversation

Did you know that some dinosaurs were herbivorous?

Really? I always thought they were all meat-eaters.

Yeah, the herbivorous ones had unique adaptations for eating plants.

That's fascinating! I love learning about their different diets.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
plant-eating
vegetarian
folivorous
Antonyms
carnivorous
meat-eating
predatory
Root Explanation
Herbivorous → It is formed from "herba" (from Latin, meaning grass or herb) and "vorare" (from Latin, meaning to devour). The word "herbivorous" describes an organism that devours or feeds on plants or herbs.
Memory Tip
Think of 'herb' as plants and 'vorous' as devouring — that's why herbivorous means feeding on plants.
Visually Confused Words
vermivorous
merdivorous
ferrivorous
erucivorous
harborous