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 of venomous

• 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

European colonists in Australia encountered a suite of venomous snakes just as fearsome as those of the Libyan desert. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

While many of the snakes were said to be non‑venomous water snake and rat snakes, some were cobras, which are considered highly venomous, reported the Xiaoxiang Daily. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

The four venomous groups are rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 6 July 2026

The exhibit is in partnership with the Houston Museum of Natural Science and explores the hidden dangers of the natural world, such as poisonous, venomous, or toxic plants and animals. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026

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