toxic

[ tok-sik ]
/ ˈtɒk sɪk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR toxic ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Words nearby toxic

toxaphene, toxemia, toxemia of pregnancy, toxemic, toxi-, toxic, toxic bank, toxic cirrhosis, toxic effect, toxic epidermal necrolysis, toxic goiter

Words related to nontoxic

secure, healthy, certain, reliable, harmless, dependable, pure, clear, innocuous, simple, naive, powerless, gentle, innocent, inoffensive, painless, sound, competent, tame, trustworthy

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
[ tŏk′sĭk ]

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
[ tŏk′sĭk ]

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