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

Billboard gets a rare window into the world of hip-hop's most volcanic — and mysterious — performer. —Jayson Buford, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2024

Mabel is a volcanic, unpredictable character, although the movie ends with scenes of apparent domestic calm that might seem to squelch her spirit. —Christina Newland, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2024

Noun

Their results showed that InSight’s data best matches up with a deep layer of igneous, or volcanic, rock that is filled with liquid water. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 Aug. 2024

The man and woman died as a result of being buried by hot gas and volcanic matter, also known as pyroclastic flow. —Karen K. Ho, ARTnews.com, 12 Aug. 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