Definition of poisonous

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< poison oak

poison-pen letter >

poi·son·ous    (poiz-ns) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Capable of harming or killing by or as if by poison; toxic or venomous.
2. Containing a poison.
3. Marked by apparent ill will: "poisonous hate . . . in his eyes" (Ernest Hemingway).

OTHER FORMS:
poison·ous·ly(Adverb), poison·ous·ness(Noun)

SYNONYMS:
poisonous, mephitic, pestilent, pestilential, toxic, venomous, virulent

These adjectives mean having the destructive or fatal effect of a poison: a poisonous snake; a mephitic vapor; a pestilent agitator; pestilential jungle mists; toxic fumes; venomous jealousy; a virulent form of cancer.