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

Both were destroyed in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, buried by clouds of ash and volcanic debris that preserved them in place for centuries. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 22 June 2024

While the site was once blanketed with volcanic black sand, restorers opted to cover it with a more accessible material in a similar dark color. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 June 2024

Noun

However, the most devastating events at Rainier over the last 10,000 years are like the volcanic mudflows like the Electron mudflow that happened ~500 years ago. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2024

Although West Crater and Indian Heaven might look like remnants of a distant volcanic past, they are still watched by the Cascade Volcano Observatory. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 20 May 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