volcanic

1 of 2

adjective

vol·​ca·​nic väl-ˈka-nik 

vȯl-

also -ˈkā-

1

a

: of, relating to, or produced by a volcano

b

: characterized by volcanoes

a volcanic range

c

: made of materials from volcanoes

2

: explosively violent : volatile

volcanic emotions

volcanically

väl-ˈka-ni-k(-ə)lē 

vȯl-

also -ˈkā-

adverb

volcanic

2 of 2

noun

: a volcanic rock

Synonyms of volcanic

Adjective

• violent
• turbulent
• ferocious
• fierce
• furious
• explosive

Examples of volcanic in a Sentence

Adjective

a man with a volcanic temper that could go off at any moment

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For five years, the group from Mexico's National Autonomous University has climbed the volcano with pounds of equipment, risked data loss due to bad weather or a volcanic explosion and used artificial intelligence to analyze the seismic data. —Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026

Such swarms are commonly associated with volcanic activity but can occur elsewhere. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026

Noun

Volcanologists also warned of tephra, or hot glassy volcanic fragments, as well as volcanic ash, pumice, scoria and reticulite, which can fall on the ground within one to three miles of the eruptive vents. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Dec. 2025

Communications can turn volcanic when Mercury meets Mars in Scorpio. —Usa Today, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing volcanic

• volcanic glass

Rhymes for volcanic

• botanic
• brahmanic
• britannic
• galvanic
• germanic
• hispanic
• koranic
• mechanic
• organic
• puranic
• quranic
• romanic

Kids Definition

volcanic

adjective

vol·​ca·​nic

väl-ˈkan-ik, 

vȯl-

also -ˈkān-

1

a

: of, relating to, or produced by a volcano

a volcanic eruption

b

: made of materials from volcanoes

volcanic dust

2

: explosively violent

a volcanic rage