cyanide
2 synonyms for cyanide, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Any of a group of highly toxic chemical compounds containing a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
nitril
nitrile
How to use cyanide
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cyanide poisoning
potassium cyanide
cyanide gas
Etymology
From cyan- (referring to the blue pigment Prussian blue, in which the compound was first identified) plus the chemical suffix -ide.
Full origin of cyanide →Frequently asked questions
What does “cyanide” mean?
The word “cyanide” means any of a group of highly toxic chemical compounds containing a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. In plain terms, a highly poisonous chemical, famous as a deadly poison but also used industrially, notably in gold extraction.
How do you pronounce “cyanide”?
“Cyanide” is pronounced SEYE-uh-nyd (/ˈsaɪənaɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “cyanide” in a sentence?
Here is “cyanide” used in a sentence: “Cyanide compounds are used in some industrial processes despite their extreme toxicity.”
What part of speech is “cyanide”?
Depending on how it is used, “cyanide” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cyanide” come from?
The word “cyanide” comes from Russian. From cyan- (referring to the blue pigment Prussian blue, in which the compound was first identified) plus the chemical suffix -ide.
Is “cyanide” a common word?
“Cyanide” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cyanide” have?
“Cyanide” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: any of a group of highly toxic chemical compounds containing a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom.
