venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈve-nə-məs 

1

: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death

venomous snakes

2

: full of venom: such as

a

: poisonous, envenomed

b

: noxious, pernicious

… expose a venomous dope ring …

—Don Porter

c

: spiteful, malevolent

venomous criticism

venomously adverb

venomousness noun

Synonyms of venomous

• poisonous
• poisoned
• poison

Examples of venomous in a Sentence

The cobra is a venomous snake.

a venomous attack on his character

Recent Examples on the Web

This list will answer your questions about flying ones, venomous ones, really fast ones, and smelly ones. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

About 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes annually, and — despite the two recent deaths in Southern California — only around five of the people who are bitten typically die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026

Most snakes in this area are not venomous, though their bites need to be cleaned like any animal bite. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the most common venomous snakes in the state are rattlesnakes, coralsnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English venimous, borrowed from Anglo-French venimus, venimous, from venim venom entry 1 + -us, -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs 

: having or producing venom

venomous snakes

venomously adverb

Medical Definition

venomous

adjective

ven·​om·​ous ˈven-ə-məs 

1

: poisonous

2

: producing venom in a specialized gland and capable of inflicting injury or death

the vipers, pit vipers, and coral snakes are venomous