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

According to Sigurðsson, the government in Iceland is tuned into the volcanic activity and is monitoring it constantly. —Jaclyn Greenberg, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024

Our planetary neighbor’s atmosphere is unchanging, meaning the substances lost are constantly replenished by volcanic activity. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Dec. 2024

Noun

People can see the cinder cone volcanic field, Sedona's red rock buttes and as far as the Grand Canyon on a clear day. —The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024

That’s about to change with the establishment of the Pocket Peak AVA—a wine-growing region within the valley defined by its steep, undulating hills and volcanic and gravelly loam soils—expected in fall 2025. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 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