toxic
[ tok-sik ]
/ ˈtɒk sɪk /
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 who wanted complete control over her; toxic criticism.
Finance.
- 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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Origin of toxic
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; see -ic
OTHER WORDS FROM toxic
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH toxic
toxic , toxin.Words nearby toxic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences 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 of toxic
toxically, adverbWord 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
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Medical 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.
Scientific 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.