venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈve-nə-məs 

1

: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death

venomous snakes

2

: full of venom: such as

a

: poisonous, envenomed

b

: noxious, pernicious

expose a venomous dope ring

—Don Porter

c

: spiteful, malevolent

venomous criticism

venomously adverb

venomousness noun

Synonyms

• envenomed
• poison
• poisoned
• poisonous
• toxic

Examples of venomous in a Sentence

The cobra is a venomous snake.

a venomous attack on his character

Recent Examples on the Web

Growing anywhere between 4-6 feet in length and weighing up to a staggering 25 pounds, this is the heaviest venomous snake on the continent. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 7 Sep. 2024

Call a Professional Using a professional pest control company is the only safe way to remove venomous snakes from your property. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2024

The claim: Highway crash released hundreds of venomous snakes in Georgia An Aug. 7 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shares an image of a crash involving a semi-trailer truck on a Georgia highway. —Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024

However, in previous years, searchers had seen venomous rattlesnakes while looking for the prize, the event organizers said. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English venimous, borrowed from Anglo-French venimus, venimous, from venim venom entry 1 + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs 

: having or producing venom

venomous snakes

venomously adverb

Medical Definition

venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs 

1

: poisonous

2

: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death

the vipers, pit vipers, and coral snakes are venomous