venom

American  

[ven-uhm] / ˈvɛn əm /

noun

• venoms
  plural

1. the poisonous fluid that some animals, as certain snakes and spiders, secrete and introduce into the bodies of their victims by biting, stinging, etc.

2. something resembling or suggesting poison in its effect; spite; malice.

   the venom of jealousy.

   Synonyms:

   hate, spleen, gall, acerbity, bitterness, acrimony, malignity

3. Archaic. poison in general.

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verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to make venomous; envenom.

venom British  

/ ˈvɛnəm /

noun

1. a poisonous fluid secreted by such animals as certain snakes and scorpions and usually transmitted by a bite or sting

2. malice; spite

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venom Scientific  

/ vĕn′əm /

1. Any of various poisonous substances secreted by certain snakes, spiders, scorpions, and insects and transmitted to a victim by a bite or sting. Venoms are highly concentrated fluids that typically consist of dozens or hundreds of powerful enzymes, peptides, and smaller organic compounds. These compounds target and disable specific chemicals in the victim, damaging cellular and organ system function. Snake venoms, for example, contain substances that block platelet aggregation (causing bleeding) and that prevent the release of acetylcholine by nerve endings (causing muscle paralysis). Many substances contained in venoms are under investigation for use as pharmaceuticals.

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Synonym Usage

See poison.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• venomousness
  noun
• outvenom
  verb (used with object)
• unvenomed
  adjective
• venomless
  adjective
• venomous
  adjective
• venomously
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• venoms
  plural

Etymology

Origin of venom

First recorded in 1175–1225; variant of Middle English venim, from Anglo-French; Old French venim, venin, from (unattested) Vulgar Latin venīmen, for Latin venēnum “magical herb or potion, poison,” from (unattested) wenes-nom, equivalent to (unattested) wenes- desire ( see venerate, Venus) + (unattested) -nom noun suffix

Explanation

We’re pretty sure you wouldn’t drink a mysterious substance labeled “poisonous snake venom,” even if you didn’t know the meaning of venom. However, just to be clear, venom means "poison." Stay away from it. Venom is poisonous fluid produced by animals such as snakes, spiders, and certain people. Okay — we take that last one back, sort of. Scientifically speaking, people don’t produce venom, but they can certainly do so in a metaphorical sense. That’s why venom can also be used to mean “malice” or “hatred.” If you encounter someone who seems full of venom, remember that kindness can be a good antidote. (So can a really insulting remark.)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

venom venoms

How many people could die from the venom in a single taipan bite?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

After reviewing the history and spread of the myth, researchers concluded that bites from adult rattlesnakes are generally more dangerous because adults carry and inject much larger amounts of venom.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026

The guys who started this country, some of them hated each other with just as much venom and outrage and indignance as political players hate each other today.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

Marc Leonard, summoning every ounce of venom he could muster, thumped one on goal and it came slapping back off the crossbar.

From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2026

Even before my terror can blossom, the venom takes effect and in an instant, I don’t care.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

For the past five years, The Liana Trust has been studying venoms from species beyond the big four to develop antidotes to them.

From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2026

Compounds from spider and snake venoms, along with substances produced by plants and fungi, are being studied for their potential to treat pain, cancer, and other conditions.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 24, 2025

And so natural selection would have endowed organisms with means that help them solve conflicts in their favor: fangs, antlers, neurotoxic venoms.

From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2022

In her lab, she studied deadly marine venoms, including, for instance, those of box jellyfish, the toxins of which attack not only skin but the heart and nervous system.

From New York Times ● Jul. 16, 2022

Beyond that is flat Lake Ontario, a zero at the beginning and a zero at the end, slate-gray and brimming with venoms.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• bitterness
• hatred
• rancor
• toxin