venom

1 of 2

noun

ven·​om ˈve-nəm 

1

: a toxic substance produced by some animals (such as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect

broadly : a substance that is poisonous

2

: a spiteful malicious feeling or state of mind : extreme ill will : malevolence

venom

2 of 2

verb

venomed; venoming; venoms

transitive verb

: envenom

Synonyms

Noun

• bane
• poison
• toxic
• toxin

Examples of venom in a Sentence

Noun

She spoke of him with venom in her voice.

He spewed venom against his rival.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

New entries include Treacy; Camilla’s go-to hairdresser for the past 30 years Jo Hansford; designers Fiona Clare, Mr. Roy and Anna Valentine, who designed her wedding dress, and beauty consultant Deborah Mitchell, who has provided the queen with bee venom facials for 18 years. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 19 Dec. 2024

Actress dies after reportedly consuming frog venom at spiritual cleansing retreat. —Fox News, 6 Dec. 2024

During his recent reappraisal, writers have often commented on the redemptive potential of Indiana’s venom. —Brandon Sanchez, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024

This class of drugs was first developed in the 1990s when scientists identified a hormone-like molecule in the venom of a Gila monster, a lizard native to the American Southwest, that stimulated insulin secretion. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English venim, borrowed from Anglo-French venim, venyn, going back to Vulgar Latin *venīmen, re-formation of Latin venēnum "magical herb, poison," going back to *wenes-no-m, from *wenes- (whence vener-, venus "sexual desire, qualities exciting desire, charm") + *-no-, instrumental suffix — more at venus

Note: In the sense "poison" Latin venēnum is perhaps an avoidance euphemism, a word meaning "magical charm" being transferred to something toxic, and hence dangerous, to avoid saying the actual word. Compare Old High German gift "gift, magical drink," Modern German Gift "poison."

Verb

Middle English venimen, borrowed from Anglo-French venimer, verbal derivative of venim venom entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing venom

• spit blood/venom

Kids Definition

venom

noun

ven·​om

ˈven-əm

1

: poison produced by some animals (as a snake, scorpion, or bee) and passed to a victim usually by biting or stinging

2

: spite entry 1, malice

Medical Definition

venom

noun

ven·​om ˈven-əm 

: a toxic substance produced by some animals (as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect

broadly : a substance that is poisonous