poisonous
poisonous Lexical Profile
poisonous Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Containing, producing, or having the effect of poison; capable of causing illness or death when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed.
"Hikers were warned not to forage for wild berries unless they could distinguish edible varieties from poisonous ones."
Extremely malicious, destructive, or harmful to morale and interpersonal relationships.
"The constant gossip and backstabbing created a poisonous atmosphere in the office."
Word Nuance & Usage
In strict biological usage, 'poisonous' refers to organisms or substances that cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin (such as mushrooms or frogs), whereas 'venomous' refers to animals that actively inject toxins via fangs, stingers, or spines (such as snakes or wasps).
• Rhymes for poisonous
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the 16th century from the noun 'poison' plus the suffix '-ous'; 'poison' ultimately derives via Old French from Latin 'potio' (a drink or draught, especially a medicinal or toxic one).