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.

He also told a story about a man who was bit by a venomous snake in Peru and marveled at the crowd’s lack of interest.

From Salon

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

From the next ball, Carey gloved a venomous lifter, only for Ben Duckett to grass the vital catch moving forward from gully.

From BBC

But after a "venomous" comment from a passer-by, Ms Wiggins said she wanted to remind people of the tradition's backstory.

From BBC

A venomous Mitchell Starc struck three times during an intimidating opening spell to leave England in trouble on day one of the first Ashes Test against Australia on Friday in Perth.

From Barron's

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