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

The rivers of Iceland flow from the glaciers to the oceans, carving paths across volcanic terrain that resemble the veins of the land when viewed from above. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

During a volcanic eruption, flowing lava solidified on the surface while molten lava continued to flow beneath it. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024

Noun

Next, explore the volcanic underbelly of Iceland, a labyrinth carved by molten rock millennia ago. —Jennifer Schwartz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2024

Chavez has the more volcanic of the two titular brothers and plays Lyle with an intensity that bursts off the screen at times, occasionally in ways that are intentionally quite funny. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 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