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

His videos often consisted of him handling venomous snakes, showing off crocodiles and taking care of the family’s giraffe. —Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024

The billing problem: The high cost of antivenom The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates venomous snakes bite 7,000 to 8,000 people in the United States every year. —Jackie Fortiér, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024

Colorado man died from pet Gila monster’s venomous bite, autopsy shows Monterey Bay Aquarium. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024

Given the large number of snakes in the country, 12,000 people were treated for venomous snake and animal bites in the country in 2023, and 26 of those people, according to Thailand’s National Health Security office, per CNN. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 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