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

These specialized microglia also slow the buildup of amyloid plaques and the spread of toxic tau proteins, which are both major hallmarks of Alzheimer's.

Read more on Science Daily

Ida Auken, the Social Democrats' environment spokesperson, said adopting a tougher stance on immigration neutralised a toxic issue for the left - and gave it space to pursue progressive policies in other areas.

Read more on BBC

After more than 30 years of using traditional methods, Agarwal said she's thrilled to offer families this new, less toxic option.

Read more on Science Daily

The fund’s 1,534 different holdings mean even catastrophic losses in one sector get diluted across the portfolio like toxic waste in a swimming pool.

Read more on MarketWatch

Countries agreed Friday to phase out the use of mercury-based dental amalgams in tooth fillings by 2034, at a conference aimed at reducing harms caused by the toxic metal.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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