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.

RELATED CONTENT

When Did “Chemical” Become Such A Toxic Word?When people see the word chemical, it tends to inspire fear, but should it?
READ MORE
You Can Use These Words To Describe Your Most Toxic FriendsWords for friends who squash your spirit, only look out for themselves, and bring negativity into your life.
READ MORE

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 confusedtoxic 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 Formstoxically, 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.