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

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

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

In June, Mumbai customs intercepted two passengers arriving from Thailand with dozens of venomous vipers and more than 100 other creatures, including lizards, sunbirds and tree-climbing possums, also arriving from Thailand.

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

In fact, I treat him as if he’s a real snake, the venomous kind.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

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