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

With advances in video technology, a group from Monash University in Australia are getting an up-close-and-personal look at how venomous viper, elapid, and colubrid snakes flex their fangs. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025

Sleeping in hammocks above the jungle floor to avoid venomous insect bites. —Kit Bernardi, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

Fortunately, the big yellow reptile turned out to be a San Diego Gopher Snake—a non-venomous species commonly found in Southern California. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Specifically, a 1940s B-picture conjuring up some heavy Maria Montez mojo, known as Kiss of the Spider Woman — a typically hyperventilating melodrama that featured a vamping diva playing several parts, including the venomous title character. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 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