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

Then there’s Penn, whose Lockjaw is a hateful, venomous sort who’s easy to hate. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025

Here's what to know about the reptiles (and which are venomous). —Maria Leontaras, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Sep. 2025

Our industry faces the most sophisticated, venomous, creeping evil in America’s history. —Dan Gilroy, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025

Are flying, venomous Joro spiders moving north? —Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Sep. 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