toxic

[ tok-sik ]
/ ˈtɒk sɪk /

adjective

of, pertaining to, affected with, or caused by a toxin or poison: a toxic condition.
acting as or having the effect of a poison; poisonous: a toxic drug.
causing unpleasant feelings; harmful or malicious: a toxic boyfriend; toxic criticism.
pertaining to or noting debt that will probably not be repaid: toxic mortgages.
pertaining to or noting a financial instrument or other asset that has no value or an unknown value because there is no market for it: toxic mortgage-backed securities.

noun

a toxic chemical or other substance.

Origin of toxic

1655–65; < Late Latin toxicus poisonous, adj. derivative of Latin toxicum poison < Greek toxikón (orig. short for toxikòn phármakon literally, bow poison, i.e., poison used on arrows), equivalent to tóx(on) bow + -ikon, neuter of -ikos -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM toxic

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH toxic

toxic toxin

Example sentences from the Web for nontoxic

  • And any nontoxic atmosphere will do, as long as there's enough oxygen in it.

    The Stoker and the Stars |Algirdas Jonas Budrys (AKA John A. Sentry)

British Dictionary definitions for nontoxic (1 of 2)

nontoxic
/ (nɒnˈtɒksɪk) /

adjective

not of, relating to, or caused by a toxin or poison safe, nontoxic paint

British Dictionary definitions for nontoxic (2 of 2)

toxic
/ (ˈtɒksɪk) /

adjective

of, relating to, or caused by a toxin or poison; poisonous
harmful or deadly
(of a financial asset) likely to cause significant loss to the holder

Derived forms of toxic

toxically, adverb

Word Origin for toxic

C17: from medical Latin toxicus, from Latin toxicum poison, from Greek toxikon ( pharmakon) (poison) used on arrows, from toxon arrow

Medical definitions for nontoxic

toxic
[ tŏksĭk ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or caused by a toxin or other poison.
Capable of causing injury or death, especially by chemical means; poisonous.

n.

A toxic chemical or other substance.

Scientific definitions for nontoxic

toxic
[ tŏksĭk ]

Relating to or caused by a toxin.
Capable of causing injury or death, especially by chemical means; poisonous.