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

The paper’s authors sought to make an antivenom that would protect against a wide range of the world’s 600-plus venomous snake species. —Katherine Bourzac, Scientific American, 7 May 2025

The snakes come from the elapid family and include cobras, mambas, taipans, coral snakes, and kraits — among other venomous species. —Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025

Native Florida Snakes: Get familiar with Florida’s six venomous species snakes including the four that call Central Florida home. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025

Gyllenhaal, while sturdy enough with the language, achieves only intermittent glints of Iago’s venomous vitality. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 24 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