definitions

toxic

[ tok-sik ]
/ ˈtɒk sɪk /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR toxic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, pertaining to, affected with, or caused by a toxin or poison: a toxic condition.
acting as or having the effect of a poison; poisonous: a toxic drug.
causing unpleasant feelings; harmful or malicious: a toxic boyfriend; toxic criticism.
pertaining to or noting debt that will probably not be repaid: toxic mortgages.
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

a toxic chemical or other substance.

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RELATED WORDS

noxious, deadly, pernicious, harmful, virulent, lethal, baneful, mephitic, poison, venomous, pestilential, toxicant, septic

Nearby words

toxaphene, toxemia, toxemia of pregnancy, toxemic, toxi-, toxic, toxic bank, toxic cirrhosis, toxic effect, toxic epidermal necrolysis, toxic goiter

Origin of toxic

1655–65; < Late Latin toxicus poisonous, adj. derivative of Latin toxicum poison < Greek toxikón (orig. short for toxikòn phármakon literally, bow poison, i.e., poison used on arrows), equivalent to tóx(on) bow + -ikon, neuter of -ikos -ic

Related forms

Can be confused

toxic toxin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for toxic

British Dictionary definitions for toxic

toxic

/ (ˈtɒksɪk) /

adjective

of, relating to, or caused by a toxin or poison; poisonous
harmful or deadly
(of a financial asset) likely to cause significant loss to the holder

Derived Forms

toxically, adverb

Word Origin for toxic

C17: from medical Latin toxicus, from Latin toxicum poison, from Greek toxikon (pharmakon) (poison) used on arrows, from toxon arrow
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for toxic

toxic

[ tŏk′sĭk ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or caused by a toxin or other poison.
Capable of causing injury or death, especially by chemical means; poisonous.

n.

A toxic chemical or other substance.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for toxic

toxic

[ tŏk′sĭk ]

Relating to or caused by a toxin.
Capable of causing injury or death, especially by chemical means; poisonous.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.