Cool MatePredator
UK /["/ˈpredətə(r)/"]/US /["/ˈpredətər/"]/
Definition
an animal that kills and eats other animals
In simple words: An animal that hunts and eats other animals.
Examples
- Some animals have no natural predators.
- the relationship between predator and prey
- to protect domestic industry from foreign predators
Usage notes
Used in discussions about animals, nature, and ecology. Might not be appropriate in casual contexts such as jokes or light conversations.
Grammar pattern
predator + object
Memory hint
Think of 'predator' as 'prey-eater' — someone who eats others.
Collocations
- top predator
- predator species
- predator-prey relationship
Synonyms
- hunter
- carnivore
- meat-eater
- scavenger
- beast
Antonyms
- prey
- victim
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'prey' which refers to the hunted rather than the hunter.
- Using 'predator' to describe plants, which is incorrect.
- Believing it applies exclusively to animals; it can also describe individuals in competitive environments.