venomous

American

[ven-uh-muhs] / ˈvɛn ə məs /

adjective

(of an animal) having a gland or glands for secreting venom; able to inflict a poisoned bite, sting, or wound.

a venomous snake.
full of or containing venom; poisonous.

a venomous wound; a venomous potion.
spiteful; malignant.

a venomous attack; a venomous tongue.

Synonyms:

ill-disposed, rancorous, hostile, malicious

Other Word Forms

nonvenomous adjective
nonvenomously adverb
nonvenomousness noun
unvenomous adjective
unvenomously adverb
unvenomousness noun
venomness noun
venomously adverb
venomousness noun

Etymology

Origin of venomous

1250–1300; Middle English venim ( o ) us < Anglo-French venimus ( Old French venimeux ). See venom, -ous

Compare meaning

How does venomous compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

poisonous vs. venomous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They are also the only venomous primates in the world, using specialized teeth to deliver a toxic bite.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

Individually, many of us choose to remain anonymous while publicly spewing the most venomous insults at those with whom we disagree.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2026

The stage’s iconic mean girl glides from 1890s Norway to 1950s England in this vibrant and venomous adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

Facing his first ball, Carey gloved a venomous lifter from Brydon Carse.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

In America in the closing decades of the century there arose a rivalry even more spectacularly venomous, if not quite as destructive.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023