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

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the most common venomous snakes in the state are rattlesnakes, coralsnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026

To the everyday hiker or biker, the venomous rattlesnake would likely have gone unnoticed. —Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 8,000 people annually are bitten by venomous snakes, with fewer than 10 deaths. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

Unlike venomous snakes or extreme cold, there was no safety briefing that could have prepared her for an animal lunging out of nowhere on the course. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 25 Mar. 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