Added 9 October 2026
toxic
/ˈtɒk.sɪk/ adjective
In Latin: toxicus Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about toxic at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Having a chemical nature that is harmful to health or lethal if consumed or otherwise entering into the body in sufficient quantities.
Tobacco smoke contains many toxic substances.
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Appearing grossly unwell; characterised by serious, potentially life-threatening compromise in the respiratory, circulatory or other body systems.
The child appeared toxic on arrival at the hospital.
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Severely negative or harmful.
a toxic environment that promoted bullying
Origin
Borrowed from French toxique, from Late Latin toxicus (“poisoned”), from Latin toxicum (“poison”), from Ancient Greek τοξικόν (toxikón) [φάρμακον (phármakon)] ("poison for use on arrows"), from τοξικός (toxikós, “pertaining to arrows or archery”), from τόξον (tóxon, “bow”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)