poisonous

[poi-zuh-nuhs]

adjective

1. full of or containing poison.

   poisonous air; a poisonous substance.

2. harmful; destructive.

   poisonous to animals; poisonous rumors.

3. deeply malicious; malevolent.

   poisonous efforts.

poisonous

/ ˈpɔɪzənəs /

adjective

1. having the effects or qualities of a poison

2. capable of killing or inflicting injury; venomous

3. corruptive or malicious

Other Word Forms

• poisonousness noun
• poisonously adverb
• nonpoisonous adjective
• nonpoisonously adverb
• nonpoisonousness noun
• semipoisonous adjective
• semipoisonously adverb
• unpoisonous adjective
• unpoisonously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of poisonous¹

First recorded in 1565–75; poison + -ous

Example Sentences

"He would see it as naked ambition, perhaps as poisonous disloyalty, even if my only message was: Don't let the other guy win."

From BBC

Anyone walking their dog on the beach is urged to keep it under control as starfish can be poisonous to dogs.

From BBC

Growing up in the area, her mother warned her that the water was poisonous.

From Los Angeles Times

Later, his staffers would say the campaign did not want their candidate seen among uniformed LAPD, who were poisonous to voters they needed, particularly after the Watts riot of three years earlier.

From Los Angeles Times

He had stood up to people wanting to smuggle in rice from neighbouring Rwanda that had spoiled and could have proven poisonous if eaten.

From BBC

Related Words

• dangerous 
• deadly 
• destructive 
• fatal 
• lethal 
• noxious 
• pernicious 
• toxic 
• venomous 
• vicious 
• virulent