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

Adjective

• bang-bang
• blood-and-guts
• convulsive
• cyclonic
• explosive
• ferocious
• fierce
• furious
• hammer-and-tongs
• hot
• knock-down, drag-out
• knock-down-and-drag-out
• paroxysmal
• rabid
• rough
• stormy
• tempestuous
• tumultuous
• turbulent
• violent

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

Information about the particles in wildfire smoke, desert dust and volcanic plumes. —Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 3 May 2024

In fact, the Cascades as a whole are under-monitored compared to many active volcanic arcs around the world. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2024

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

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