Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Poisonous; containing or being a substance that can cause illness, injury, or death to a living organism: The primary meaning refers to the inherent property of a material to cause harm through chemical means.
   • Relating to or caused by a poison or toxin: Pertaining to the nature, effects, or study of poisonous substances.
   • Extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful in a non-physical way: Used figuratively to describe environments, relationships, or behaviors that are psychologically or emotionally damaging.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Physical Harm):
  • The factory was fined for dumping toxic waste into the river.
  • Some plants are toxic to cats and dogs.
• Adjective (Figurative Harm):
  • She left her job to escape the toxic work environment.
  • Their relationship became increasingly toxic over the years.

Advanced Usage

• "Toxic asset" (Finance): A financial asset that has fallen significantly in value and has become difficult or impossible to sell.
  • The bank was burdened with toxic assets during the financial crisis.
• "Toxic positivity" (Psychology): The overgeneralization of a happy, optimistic state that dismisses and invalidates genuine human emotional experience.
  • Constant demands to "just be happy" can be a form of toxic positivity.

Variants and Related Words

• Toxicity (n): The quality, state, or degree of being toxic.
  • Scientists measured the toxicity of the chemical compound.
• Toxin (n): A poisonous substance, especially one produced by a living organism (e.g., bacteria, snakes).
  • The venom is a complex mixture of different toxins.
• Detoxify (v): To remove toxic substances or qualities.
  • The liver helps detoxify the blood.

Synonyms

• Poisonous: Having the properties or effects of a poison.
• Noxious: Harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant.
• Venomous (often for biological toxins): Secreting venom; capable of injecting poison.
• Pernicious: Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs/Common Collocations)

• Toxic shock syndrome: A rare, life-threatening bacterial infection often associated with high-absorbency tampons.
• Toxic masculinity: A set of cultural norms that define traditional male behavior as emotionally repressed, violently dominant, and harmful to men and society.
• Toxic relationship: A relationship characterized by behaviors that are emotionally and often physically damaging to one or both participants.

Related Idioms

• A toxic brew/mix: A dangerous or harmful combination of factors.
  • Poverty and lack of education created a toxic brew for social unrest.

Adjective

1. of or relating to or caused by a toxin or poison
   • suffering from exposure to toxic substances