venomous

Meaning

1. Of an animal (specifically a snake) or parts of its body: producing venom (“a toxin intended for defensive or offensive use”) which is usually injected into an enemy or prey by biting or stinging; hence, of a bite or sting: injecting venom.
2. Of or pertaining to venom.
3. (archaic) Consisting of, or containing or full of, venom or some other poison; hence, harmful to health due to this.
4. (figuratively) Posing a threat; dangerous, threatening.
5. (figuratively) Hateful; malignant; spiteful.
6. (obsolete) Of a weapon such as an arrow or dart: dosed with venom or poison; envenomed, poisoned.
7. (figuratively, obsolete) Harmful, hurtful, injurious; specifically, morally or spiritually harmful; evil, noxious, pernicious.

Opposite of

non-venomous, venomless, unvenomous

Synonyms

poisonous

toxic

virulent

noxious

vicious

deadly

venomed

vindictive

poison

acrid

viperine

vitriolic

malicious

ill-natured

malevolent

malignant

mephitic

ornery

pestilent

acid

rancorous

resentful

serpentine

snaky

spiteful

toxicant

wicked

venefic

pungent

acrimonious

beastly

bitchy

biting

bitter

cattish

catty

caustic

cross-grained

cruel

ferocious

harsh

Translations

velenoso

giftig

venenoso

venimeux

venenoso

vénéneux

δηλητηριώδης

giftig

verinós

peçonhento

ιοβόλος

venefico

zehirli

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈvɛnəməs/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: venymous

Cognate with French: venimeux

In summary

From Middle English venymous, from Old French venimos, composed of venim (“venom”) + -os (adjective-forming suffix). Synchronically analysable as venom + -ous. Compare Modern French venimeux. Piecewise doublet of venenous.