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

• 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

But camouflaged in it is a dangerous surprise to unobservant hikers, a venomous copperhead. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Copperheads likely account for more than 90% of venomous snake bites in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. —Evan Moore july 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025

About 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025

Screenshots from a June 22 Instagram video of dachshunds recovering after being bit by a venomous snake in the backyard. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 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