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

On land, a volcanic eruption is dramatic—columns of ash, fountains of lava, a complete remaking of the terrain. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 31 July 2026

One&Only Mandarina, set in the jungle above the Riviera Nayarit, built its spa into a volcanic rock garden beneath a canopy of Higuera trees. — Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Noun

The name Etna, volcanic in its association, aligns with the new life being imposed upon him. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Those wanting to get far off the grid can head to Rodrigues, an itty-bitty volcanic dot in the vast Indian Ocean, hundreds of nautical miles from neighbors in any direction. — Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026

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