frugivorous

1 of 2

adjective

fru·​giv·​o·​rous frü-ˈji-və-rəs How to pronounce frugivorous (audio)
: feeding on fruit
frugivore
ˈfrü-ji-ˌvȯr How to pronounce frugivorous (audio)
noun

frugivore

2 of 2

noun

fru·​gi·​vore ˈfrüjəˌvōr How to pronounce frugivore (audio)
-ˌvȯr
plural -s
: a bird or mammal that feeds on fruit : afrugivorous organism
a study of avian frugivores

Examples of frugivorous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
After all, some fruit eating — or frugivorous — seed-dispersers are color blind. — Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2018 This study also indicated that frugivorous and nectarivorous songbirds that live in dense forests generally are more colorful, supporting previous research that found links between habitats (ref, ref & ref) and dietary factors (ref). — Grrlscientist, Forbes, 24 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Medieval Latin frūgivorus "crop-devouring," from Latin frūg-, frūx "edible produce of plants, fruit, crops" + -i- -i- + -vorus -vorous — more at frugal

Noun

frugivorous + -vore

First Known Use

Adjective

1713, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of frugivorous was in 1713

Rhymes for frugivorous

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Browse Nearby Words

frugivore
frugivorous
fruit
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Cite this Entry

“Frugivorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frugivorous. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

frugivorous

adjective
fru·​giv·​o·​rous frü-ˈjiv-ə-rəs How to pronounce frugivorous (audio)
: feeding on fruit
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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