toxic

[ tok-sik ]

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, affected with, or caused by a toxin none or poison:

   a toxic condition.

2. acting as or having the effect of a poison; poisonous:

   a toxic drug.

3. causing unpleasant feelings; harmful or malicious: toxic criticism.

   a toxic boyfriend who wanted complete control over her;

   toxic criticism.

4. Finance.
   1. pertaining to or noting debt that will probably not be repaid:

      toxic mortgages.

   2. pertaining to or noting a financial instrument or other asset that has no value or an unknown value because there is no market for it:

      toxic mortgage-backed securities.

noun

1. a toxic chemical or other substance.

toxic

/ ˈtɒksɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or caused by a toxin or poison; poisonous
2. harmful or deadly
3. (of a financial asset) likely to cause significant loss to the holder

toxic

/ tŏk′sĭk /

1. Relating to or caused by a toxin.
2. Capable of causing injury or death, especially by chemical means; poisonous.

Derived Forms

• ˈtoxically, adverb

Other Words From

• tox·i·cal·ly adverb
• hy·per·tox·ic adjective
• non·tox·ic adjective
• non·tox·i·cal·ly adverb
• post·tox·ic adjective
• un·tox·ic adjective
• un·tox·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of toxic¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from Late Latin toxicus “poisonous,” derivative of toxicum “poison,” from Greek toxikón (for toxikòn phármakon literally, “bow poison,” i.e., poison used on arrows), equivalent to tóx(on) “bow” + -ikon, neuter of -ikos adjective suffix; -ic none

Word History and Origins

Origin of toxic¹

C17: from medical Latin toxicus, from Latin toxicum poison, from Greek toxikon ( pharmakon ) (poison) used on arrows, from toxon arrow

Example Sentences

Looking back, Smith says, “we were really toxic together. It wasn’t a healthy situation.”

From Los Angeles Times

But other experts suggest this would amount only to a few thousand people per year - and attempt to seriously ramp up numbers may become politically toxic.

From BBC

Neither do the psychologists and political scientists who have been tracking the country’s slide toward toxic levels of partisanship.

From Los Angeles Times

Newspapers are back to using words like toxic, deadly and poisonous in their main headlines.

From BBC

Announcing the review, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said there were legitimate concerns that needed looking at but he also criticised the "toxic nature of the debate", saying it had left PAs feeling demoralised.

From BBC

Related Words

• deadly
• harmful
• lethal
• noxious
• pernicious
• virulent