toxic

American  

[tok-sik] / ˈtɒk sɪk /

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.

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noun

1. a toxic chemical or other substance.

toxic British  

/ 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

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toxic Scientific  

/ tŏk′sĭk /

1. Relating to or caused by a toxin.

2. Capable of causing injury or death, especially by chemical means; poisonous.

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Other Word Forms

• hypertoxic adjective
• nontoxic adjective
• nontoxically adverb
• posttoxic adjective
• toxically adverb
• untoxic adjective
• untoxically adverb

Etymology

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; -ic

Example Sentences

Other alternatives to fuel oil that have been used in commercial shipping—like methanol, ammonia and natural gas—are either in short supply, toxic to the environment or cut emissions by only around 25%.

From The Wall Street Journal

The records, which were obtained on a rolling basis over several months, include dozens of instances in which oversight personnel flagged workers for disregarding cleanup procedures in a way that likely spread toxic substances.

From Los Angeles Times

In Delhi's annual winter of discontent, toxic smog left children and the elderly gasping, with doctors advising some to leave the city.

From BBC

"Your body needs these cytokines to ward off viruses. It's essential to immune response but can become toxic in large amounts," Wu said.

From Science Daily

Solar panels are mostly recyclable, made of glass, aluminium, silver, and polymers - but trace toxic metals like lead and cadmium can pollute soil and water if mishandled.

From BBC

Related Words

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