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

• envenomed
• poison
• poisoned
• poisonous
• toxic

Examples of venomous in a Sentence

The cobra is a venomous snake.

a venomous attack on his character

Recent Examples on the Web

This venomous snake, previously thought to be confined to Saudi Arabia, was found in the Dhofar region, raising questions about its dispersal routes. —Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025

This led researchers to theorize that when competition is reduced, venomous predators may actually evolve concoctions better suited to specific prey. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Apr. 2025

Video-game fandom has historically featured venomous wings of extremism, and the online vitriol got so bad that Abby’s voice actor and motion-capture performer, Laura Bailey, started receiving death threats, some even targeting her newborn son. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025

According to the snake catchers, the eastern brown snake is one of the most venomous snakes in Australia. —Kelli Bender, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025

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