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

• poisonously adverb
• poisonousness noun
• 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

In a not-too-distant future when the world has been laid waste by some toxic substance that renders the air poisonous, humanity has been forced underground, into a self-sustaining silo.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The leak was poisonous, of course, and it was meant to hurt Rodgers, which it did.

Read more on BBC

A poisonous river of a stinking yellow liquid rushed downhill, inundating homes and fields, including the one where she grew corn to feed her eight children.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In any case, interdisciplinary collaboration needn’t be poisonous.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Kidney failure is common after consuming this poisonous alcohol.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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