venom

1 of 2

noun

ven·​om ˈve-nəm 

1

: a toxic substance produced by some animals (such as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect

broadly : a substance that is poisonous

2

: a spiteful malicious feeling or state of mind : extreme ill will : malevolence

venom

2 of 2

verb

venomed; venoming; venoms

transitive verb

: envenom

Synonyms

Noun

• poison
• toxic
• disease
• toxin

Examples of venom in a Sentence

Noun

She spoke of him with venom in her voice.

He spewed venom against his rival.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Common in deserts across central and southern Arizona and known for its docile nature, its venom is mild, comparable to a bee sting, and bites are rare. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Do not attempt to suck out venom: This is not effective and can cause further damage to the wound. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025

Here’s what not to do if you are bitten by a snake in Texas Do not try to suck venom from the bite wound. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025

However, being stung dozens of times can make anyone feel sick as their body works to handle the venom and, in the exceedingly rare case that someone is stung hundreds or even thousands of times, the venom may be enough to cause serious illness or even death, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English venim, borrowed from Anglo-French venim, venyn, going back to Vulgar Latin *venīmen, re-formation of Latin venēnum "magical herb, poison," going back to *wenes-no-m, from *wenes- (whence vener-, venus "sexual desire, qualities exciting desire, charm") + *-no-, instrumental suffix — more at venus

Note: In the sense "poison" Latin venēnum is perhaps an avoidance euphemism, a word meaning "magical charm" being transferred to something toxic, and hence dangerous, to avoid saying the actual word. Compare Old High German gift "gift, magical drink," Modern German Gift "poison."

Verb

Middle English venimen, borrowed from Anglo-French venimer, verbal derivative of venim venom entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing venom

• spit blood/venom

Rhymes for venom

• denim
• plenum
• imipenem

Kids Definition

venom

noun

ven·​om

ˈven-əm

1

: poison produced by some animals (as a snake, scorpion, or bee) and passed to a victim usually by biting or stinging

2

: spite entry 1, malice

Medical Definition

venom

noun

ven·​om ˈven-əm 

: a toxic substance produced by some animals (as snakes, scorpions, or bees) that is injected into prey or an enemy chiefly by biting or stinging and has an injurious or lethal effect

broadly : a substance that is poisonous