poisonous

/'pɔiznəs/

Thân thiện

A child points to a poisonous mushroom in the forest.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Containing or being a substance that can cause illness or death if ingested, absorbed, or inhaled: Describes a material, plant, or animal that produces a toxin.
   • Extremely unpleasant, malicious, or harmful: Describes language, behavior, or an atmosphere that is deeply spiteful and damaging.

Usage and Examples

• Literal meaning (containing poison):
  • Some mushrooms are highly poisonous and should never be eaten.
  • The factory was fined for dumping poisonous chemicals into the river.
• Figurative meaning (malicious or harmful):
  • She gave him a poisonous look full of hatred.
  • The political debate was filled with poisonous rhetoric.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Poisonous" vs. "Venomous": In precise biological usage, poisonous describes something harmful if touched or eaten (e.g., a poisonous berry), while venomous describes an animal that injects toxins through a bite or sting (e.g., a venomous snake). However, in general language, "poisonous" is often used for both.
• Describing an environment: Can describe a situation or relationship that is toxic and corrupting.
  • He left the company to escape its poisonous work culture.

Variants and Related Words

• Poison (noun/verb): The toxic substance itself, or the act of administering it.
  • noun: Arsenic is a deadly poison.
  • verb: Someone tried to poison the king.
• Poisonously (adverb): In a poisonous manner.
  • He spoke poisonously about his former friend.

Synonyms

• Toxic: Harmful or deadly due to poison (more common in scientific contexts).
• Virulent: Extremely severe or harmful in its effects; also used for bitter hostility.
• Malicious: Characterized by malice; intending to do harm.
• Noxious: Harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• A poisonous pen: Used to describe a writer who produces very harsh, malicious, or damaging criticism.
  • The critic was known for her poisonous pen.
• Poisonous atmosphere: A social or emotional environment characterized by intense negativity, suspicion, or hostility.
  • After the scandal, a poisonous atmosphere pervaded the office.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful
   • poisonous hate
   • venomous criticism
   • vicious gossip
2. not safe to eat
3. having the qualities or effects of a poison

Từ đồng nghĩa

• venomous
• vicious
• toxicant