volcanic

1 of 2

adjective

vol·​ca·​nic väl-ˈka-nik 

vȯl-,

 also  -ˈkā-

1

a

: of, relating to, or produced by a volcano

b

: characterized by volcanoes

a volcanic range

c

: made of materials from volcanoes

2

: explosively violent : volatile

volcanic emotions

volcanically

väl-ˈka-ni-k(-ə)lē 

vȯl-

 also  -ˈkā-

adverb

volcanic

2 of 2

noun

: a volcanic rock

Synonyms

Adjective

• bang-bang
• blood-and-guts
• convulsive
• cyclonic
• explosive
• ferocious
• fierce
• furious
• hammer-and-tongs
• hot
• knock-down, drag-out
• knock-down-and-drag-out
• paroxysmal
• rabid
• rough
• stormy
• tempestuous
• tumultuous
• turbulent
• violent

Examples of volcanic in a Sentence

Adjective

a man with a volcanic temper that could go off at any moment

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The nearest villages were covered by thick volcanic ash on Monday morning, Heronimus added. —Reuters, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024

Padrón eventually relocated his factory to Nicaragua, where the mineral-rich volcanic soil, which imparts the leaves with distinctive earthy characteristics, was similar to Cuba’s Pinar del Río. —Richard Carleton Hacker, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2024

Noun

Underwater canyons and caverns formed by St. Lucia's volatile volcanic past make the island a haven for snorkeling and scuba diving. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024

Next, explore the volcanic underbelly of Iceland, a labyrinth carved by molten rock millennia ago. —Jennifer Schwartz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing volcanic

• volcanic glass

Kids Definition

volcanic

adjective

vol·​ca·​nic

väl-ˈkan-ik,

vȯl-,

 also  -ˈkān-

1

a

: of, relating to, or produced by a volcano

a volcanic eruption

b

: made of materials from volcanoes

volcanic dust

2

: explosively violent

a volcanic rage