toxic

1 of 3

adjective

tox·​ic ˈtäk-sik How to pronounce toxic (audio)
1
: containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation
toxic waste
a toxic radioactive gas
an insecticide highly toxic to birds
2
: exhibiting symptoms of infection or toxicosis
the patient became toxic two days later
3
: extremely harsh, malicious, or harmful
toxic sarcasm
4
: relating to or being an asset that has lost so much value that it cannot be sold on the market

toxic

2 of 3

noun

: a toxic substance
usually used in plural

toxic-

3 of 3

combining form

variants or toxico-
: poison
toxicology

Examples of toxic in a Sentence

Adjective The fumes from that chemical are highly toxic. Tests will be run to determine if the landfill is toxic. Noun tested for toxics in the water supply
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Growing research also shows that these chemicals are toxic, linked to some cancers and reproductive, developmental and immune system issues. Chloe Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 There is no evidence suggesting lactase can be toxic if too much is taken and side effects are unlikely, but your healthcare provider should be able to assist you in finding the correct lactase dose. Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2024 The organism that causes red tide is toxic and can affect the central nervous system of fish, often killing them. Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 The Mavericks hired two veterans prosecutors, former New Jersey attorney general Anne Milgram and attorney Evan Krutoy, who released a 43-page report detailing the Mavs’ toxic workplace. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024 The decision to blow open five tank cars and burn the toxic chemical inside them after a freight train derailed in Eastern Ohio last year wasn't justified, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board told Congress Wednesday. CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 In February, the island was cleared of debris — some of it toxic — that has accumulated over decades. Justin Wm. Moyer, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Related article Norfolk Southern CEO received 37% raise following derailment Thirteen months ago, on February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train derailment caused a massive fire fueled by toxic chemicals and the evacuation of much of a small Ohio town. Artemis Moshtaghian, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 But along the shores of Clear Lake, just north of Napa Valley’s famed wineries, is another gold-rush legacy: toxic pollution. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024
Noun
Massive piles of mining waste around the rest of the 160-acre landscape enough to fill 250,000 dump trucks are contaminated with arsenic, mercury and other toxics. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024 Such pollutants are hazardous to human health even in small doses: mercury causes brain damage in children; acid gases cause serious lung diseases; and metal toxics, such as chromium and nickel, cause cancer. Fred Krupp, Foreign Affairs, 13 June 2017 Ultimately, a right-to-know law like Prop 65 can only go so far in addressing toxics in products. Robin Dodson, Fortune Well, 2 May 2023 The journey is a familiar one for California’s toxics. Robert Lewis, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2023 Because the whales feed near shore from the base of the food chain, even sucking up sediments and mud, their scat also could provide information about toxics in the environment, Giles said. Lynda Mapes, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Feb. 2020 Pollution, from oily toxics to plastics, spills into coastal waters. Craig Welch, National Geographic, 20 Sep. 2019 The Kennecott Minerals Company cleaned up toxics and donated the subsurface. Tom Kizzia, Anchorage Daily News, 26 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toxic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Latin toxicus, from Latin toxicum poison, from Greek toxikon arrow poison, from neuter of toxikos of a bow, from toxon bow, arrow

Combining form

New Latin, from Latin toxicum

First Known Use

Adjective

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toxic was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near toxic

Cite this Entry

“Toxic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toxic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

toxic

adjective
tox·​ic
ˈtäk-sik
1
: of, relating to, or caused by a poison or toxin
2
toxicity
täk-ˈsis-ət-ē
noun
Etymology

Adjective

from Latin toxicus "relating to or caused by a poison," from earlier toxicum "poison," from Greek toxikon "a poison put on the tips of arrows," from toxikos "of a bow and arrows," from toxon "bow, arrow" — related to intoxicate, toxin see Word History at intoxicate

Medical Definition

toxic

1 of 2 adjective
tox·​ic ˈtäk-sik How to pronounce toxic (audio)
1
: containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing serious injury or death
toxic drugs
toxic gas
2
: of, relating to, or caused by a poison or toxin
toxic liver damage
3
a
: affected by a poison or toxin
b
: affected with toxemia of pregnancy
toxic pregnant women

toxic

2 of 2 noun
: a toxic substance

Legal Definition

toxic

adjective
tox·​ic ˈtäk-sik How to pronounce toxic (audio)
1
: containing or being poisonous material especially when capable of causing death or serious debilitation
2
: having substantially lowered worth
specifically : relating to or being an asset that has lost so much value that it cannot be sold on the market
toxic assets
toxic subprime loans

More from Merriam-Webster on toxic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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