adjective
carcinogenic
kar-sin-uh-JEN-ik
Carcinogenic (adjective) means causing cancer, or likely to cause it. Example: “Tobacco smoke contains many carcinogenic chemicals.”
adjective
1
Causing cancer, or likely to cause it.
"Tobacco smoke contains many carcinogenic chemicals."
"The chemical was banned because it was found to be carcinogenic."
"Scientists tested whether the new dye was carcinogenic."
How to use carcinogenic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAble to cause cancer.
When to use it
It is a formal, scientific word, common in health and safety writing.
Memory tip
Carcinogenic describes a substance, while a carcinogen is the substance itself.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
carcinogenic chemicals
carcinogenic substances
carcinogenic effects
potentially carcinogenic
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Tobacco smoke contains many _____ chemicals.
Etymology
Formed in English from the combining forms carcino- and -genic.
Rhymes for carcinogenic
See all rhymes for carcinogenic →Frequently asked questions
What does carcinogenic mean?
It describes something that causes cancer or tends to cause it.
What is the difference between carcinogenic and carcinogen?
Carcinogenic is the adjective, and a carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer.
How do you say carcinogenic?
It is said kar-sin-uh-JEN-ik, with the stress on the fourth syllable.
What is the meaning of carcinogenic?
"carcinogenic" (adjective) means causing cancer, or likely to cause it.
