herbivore
HER-bi-vor
/ˈhɜːr.bɪ.vɔːr/
An animal that feeds exclusively or primarily on plants and plant matter.
Specific dietary classification centered on vegetation consumption.
The story behind the word. Coined in the 19th century by combining Latin 'herba' (grass, vegetation) with the suffix '-vorus' (from 'vorare', meaning to swallow or devour). It strictly describes animals adapted to eat plants.
Word relationships
- plant-eater: Plant-eater is an informal everyday synonym, whereas herbivore is the formal biological term.
- carnivore: Carnivores eat meat, whereas herbivores eat vegetation.
Commonly confused with
- omnivore: An omnivore eats both plants and animals, while a herbivore eats only plants.
Word family
- herbivorous (adjective): Feeding on plants.
Collocations
- large herbivore
- strict herbivore
- herbivore diet
- grazing herbivore
Example sentences
- "As a large herbivore, the giraffe has flat molars specially adapted for grinding tough acacia leaves." Zoology
- "A drastic reduction in vegetation directly impacts every herbivore residing in the valley." Wildlife biology
Memory hook
HERB (herbs, plants) + VORE (devour) = devours herbs and plants. Herb + vore = plant devourer.
When not to use
Do not use for organisms that eat both plants and meat (omnivores) or meat only (carnivores).
Fun facts
- Because plant material is difficult to digest, many herbivores like cows have multi-chambered stomachs to ferment plant fibers.
Explore more words
feral, habitat, conservation, epicurean, foliage, biodiverse
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