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toxic

/ˈtɑksɪk/

/ˈtɒksɪk/

Other forms: toxically

Danger! Hazardous! Do not eat! These are just some of the warnings you'll see on toxic substances — meaning stuff that's poisonous and even deadly.

Cobra bites, wild mystery mushrooms and strong chemicals are all toxic. So are certain people, if they have particularly mean personalities. Toxic is related to the word toxin, which is a kind of poison. It comes from the ancient Greek word toxikon, which means "poison for arrows." Some toxic arrows could come in handy for those toxic personalities...

Definitions of toxic
  1. adjective
    of or relating to or caused by a toxin or poison
    “suffering from exposure to toxic substances”
    Synonyms:
    harmful
    causing or capable of causing harm
    unhealthful
    detrimental to good health
    noxious
    injurious to physical or mental health
    cyanogenetic, cyanogenic
    capable of producing cyanide
    deadly, venomous, virulent
    extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
    hepatotoxic
    toxic to the liver
    nephrotoxic
    toxic to the kidney
    ototoxic
    toxic to the organs of hearing or balance or to the auditory nerve
    poisonous, toxicant
    having the qualities or effects of a poison
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    atoxic, nontoxic
    not producing or resulting from poison
    harmless
    not causing or capable of causing harm
    antitoxic
    counteracting a toxin or poison
    non-poisonous, nonpoisonous
    not producing poison
    nonvenomous
    not producing venom
    show more antonyms...
Pronunciation
US

/ˈtɑksɪk/

UK

/ˈtɒksɪk/

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘toxic'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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