toxic
0 antonyms and opposites of toxic, grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Poisonous; capable of causing illness or death if it enters the body.
How to use toxic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From French toxique, from Latin toxicum ("poison"), ultimately from Greek toxikon, "poison for arrows" — from toxon, "bow."
Full origin of toxic →Frequently asked questions
What does “toxic” mean?
The word “toxic” means poisonous; capable of causing illness or death if it enters the body. In plain terms, poisonous, or (informally) deeply harmful to a person's mood, relationships, or environment.
How do you pronounce “toxic”?
“Toxic” is pronounced TOK-sihk (/ˈtɒk.sɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “toxic” in a sentence?
Here is “toxic” used in a sentence: “The factory was fined for dumping toxic waste into the river.”
What part of speech is “toxic”?
“Toxic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “toxic” come from?
The word “toxic” comes from Latin. From French toxique, from Latin toxicum ("poison"), ultimately from Greek toxikon, "poison for arrows" — from toxon, "bow.".
Is “toxic” a common word?
“Toxic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “toxic” have?
“Toxic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: poisonous; capable of causing illness or death if it enters the body.
What is the difference between "toxic" and "poisonous"?
The words are close in meaning, and "toxic" means poisonous. "Poisonous" is the more everyday word, often used for plants, animals, or foods that cause harm if eaten or touched. "Toxic" is broader and applies to chemicals, gases, and figurative harm as well.
What is the difference between "toxic" and "venomous"?
"Toxic" and "poisonous" describe something harmful when it enters the body by being eaten, breathed in, or touched. "Venomous" describes an animal that injects toxins through a bite or sting. A snake can be venomous, while a substance is toxic.
What is the difference between "toxic" and "hazardous"?
"Toxic" specifically means poisonous, capable of causing illness or death if it enters the body. "Hazardous" is a wider word for anything dangerous, including things that are flammable, sharp, or explosive but not poisonous. All toxic things are hazardous, but not all hazards are toxic.