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

It’s a toxic cycle: Property taxes on Chicago homeowners last year went up some 16.7%, or $469 million, in part due to declining commercial property values downtown.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In 2020 she broke the story that barrels of DDT’s toxic waste, last sent to the ocean floor decades ago by its biggest manufacturer, Montrose, were closer to Southern California’s shores than previously thought.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Streeting denied he was planning to challenge Sir Keir and hit out at a "toxic" culture within No 10, although he said he did not think the PM was behind the briefings.

Read more on BBC

There are underground fires burning in at least two landfills in Southern California — smoldering chemical reactions that are incinerating buried garbage, releasing toxic fumes and spewing liquid waste.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Dr Umesh, who is a medical doctor, said that ambulance staff told her no-one has burn injuries but that some first responders inhaled "toxic fumes" and are now using oxygen masks.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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