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

And honestly, like Toby says in the film, people are probably the biggest thing to be afraid of, more than stepping on venomous snakes. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025

In the third episode of season three, his character, the rugged and disgruntled Rick Hatchett, gets high and sets free a bunch of venomous snakes at a snake farm, which leads to his girlfriend Chelsea, played by Aimee Lou Wood, getting bitten by a Cobra and rushed to the hospital. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2025

In episode 3 of the HBO hit's current season, viewers watched Goggins’ character get high and begin freeing venomous snakes from their cage. —Liza Esquibias, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025

Later, Rick smokes bad weed and decides to set free all of the venomous snakes at the janky-looking snake show that, for some reason, he feels compelled to attend. —Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025

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