venomous
adj.adj. describing an animal that can inject poison into you through a bite or sting. It can also describe words or people that are full of hate and anger.
adj. capable of injecting toxin by means of a bite or sting; also used figuratively to describe speech or behaviour full of malice. Often used predicatively after 'be' or 'seem', or attributively before a noun.
The snake is venomous, so you must stay away from it.
Hikers are warned to wear thick boots because several venomous spiders live in the tall grass.
The politician's venomous response to the journalist's question shocked the audience, as it shifted the tone from a policy debate to a series of personal attacks.
From Middle English venymous, from Old French venimos, composed of venim (“venom”) + -os (adjective-forming suffix). Synchronically analysable as venom + -ous. Compare Modern French venimeux. Piecewise doublet of venenous.
Commonly confused with 'poisonous'; 'venomous' refers to toxins injected via a wound, while 'poisonous' refers to toxins absorbed or ingested.
He was bitten by a poisonous snake.He was bitten by a venomous snake.Biologically, 'venomous' is the correct term for animals that inject toxins through bites; 'poisonous' is for things that are harmful if eaten or touched.