toxic

[tok-sik]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, affected with, or caused by a toxin or poison.

   a toxic condition.

2. acting as or having the effect of a poison; poisonous.

   a toxic drug.

3. causing unpleasant feelings; harmful or malicious: toxic criticism.

   a toxic boyfriend who wanted complete control over her;

   toxic criticism.

4. Finance.

   1. pertaining to or noting debt that will probably not be repaid.

      toxic mortgages.

   2. pertaining to or noting a financial instrument or other asset that has no value or an unknown value because there is no market for it.

      toxic mortgage-backed securities.

noun

1. a toxic chemical or other substance.

toxic

/ ˈtɒksɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or caused by a toxin or poison; poisonous

2. harmful or deadly

3. (of a financial asset) likely to cause significant loss to the holder

toxic

1. Relating to or caused by a toxin.

2. Capable of causing injury or death, especially by chemical means; poisonous.

Other Word Forms

• toxically adverb
• hypertoxic adjective
• nontoxic adjective
• nontoxically adverb
• posttoxic adjective
• untoxic adjective
• untoxically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of toxic¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Late Latin toxicus “poisonous,” derivative of toxicum “poison,” from Greek toxikón (for toxikòn phármakon literally, “bow poison,” i.e., poison used on arrows), equivalent to tóx(on) “bow” + -ikon, neuter of -ikos adjective suffix; -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of toxic¹

C17: from medical Latin toxicus, from Latin toxicum poison, from Greek toxikon ( pharmakon ) (poison) used on arrows, from toxon arrow

Example Sentences

Last month Patterson, 51, was jailed for life with no chance of release for at least 33 years, for murdering three relatives and trying to kill another with a toxic mushroom meal.

From BBC

These types of events are what experts call adverse experiences — and a higher number of adverse experiences can lead to toxic stress, which can harm brain development and overall health.

From Los Angeles Times

Large methane leaks not only unleash massive amounts of the greenhouse gas, but are also carry a toxic mix of air pollutants.

From Los Angeles Times

It went from us trying to be fun and funny ... to immediately just was negative and felt really kind of toxic.

From Los Angeles Times

Can he turn it around before it becomes even more toxic?

From BBC

Related Words

• deadly 
• harmful 
• lethal 
• noxious 
• pernicious 
• virulent