poisoned
Poisoned (adj) means Harmed, killed, or contaminated by poison. Example: “The poisoned well had to be sealed off.”
How to use poisoned
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMade harmful or ruined, either literally by poison or figuratively by bad influence.
Word forms
more poisoned comparative, most poisoned superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ well had to be sealed off.
Related words
Rhymes for poisoned
See all rhymes for poisoned →Frequently asked questions
What does “poisoned” mean?
The word “poisoned” means harmed, killed, or contaminated by poison. In plain terms, made harmful or ruined, either literally by poison or figuratively by bad influence.
How do you pronounce “poisoned”?
“Poisoned” is pronounced POYZND (/ˈpɔɪzn̩d/ in IPA).
How do you use “poisoned” in a sentence?
Here is “poisoned” used in a sentence: “The poisoned well had to be sealed off.”
What part of speech is “poisoned”?
“Poisoned” is an adjective.
Is “poisoned” a common word?
“Poisoned” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “poisoned” have?
“Poisoned” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: harmed, killed, or contaminated by poison.
What is the difference between "poisoned" and "poisonous"?
Poisoned describes something or someone that has already been harmed, killed, or contaminated by poison, so it refers to a completed action or state. Poisonous instead describes a substance's inherent capacity to cause that harm, regardless of whether anyone has actually been affected.
Can "poisoned" describe a relationship rather than a person?
Yes, poisoned is commonly used figuratively to describe something damaged by bad feeling or bad influence, such as a poisoned relationship or a poisoned atmosphere in a workplace. This figurative sense extends the literal meaning of physical contamination to emotional or social harm.
Is "poisoned" always used literally?
No, poisoned works in both literal and figurative senses: it can describe a person or animal physically harmed by poison, or a situation, mood, or relationship damaged by something harmful. Context usually makes clear which sense is intended.