volcanic

[ vol-kan-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a volcano:

   a volcanic eruption.

2. discharged from or produced by volcanoes:

   volcanic mud.

3. characterized by the presence of volcanoes:

   a volcanic area.

4. suggestive of or resembling a volcano; potentially explosive; volatile:

   a volcanic temper.

volcanic

/ ˌvɒlkəˈnɪsɪtɪ; vɒlˈkænɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, produced by, or characterized by the presence of volcanoes

   a volcanic region

2. suggestive of or resembling an erupting volcano

   a volcanic era

3. another word for extrusive

Derived Forms

• volˈcanically, adverb
• volcanicity, noun

Other Words From

• vol·cani·cal·ly adverb
• vol·can·ic·i·ty [vol-k, uh, -, nis, -i-tee], noun
• nonvol·canic adjective
• semi·vol·canic adjective
• semi·vol·cani·cal·ly adverb
• unvol·canic adjective
• unvol·cani·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of volcanic¹

1765–75; volcan(o) + -ic; compare French volcanique

Example Sentences

And the Pit River Nation is requesting designation for roughly 200,000 acres of their ancestral territory and spiritual sites in Sáttítla, or the Medicine Lake Highlands, which encompasses striking volcanic formations in Northern California.

From Los Angeles Times

They learned the volcanic rock in the lava tubes created a protective environment that helped shield the minerals and organic compounds from weathering, ultimately preserving the minerals as records of past ecosystems.

From Science Daily

While scientists already knew of volcanic activity on the near side of the moon, which we can see from Earth, the "dark side" is very different in its geology, and remains largely unexplored.

From BBC

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has also warned that the volcanic ash might drift to parts of the country's north on Wednesday.

From BBC

Video footage shared with BBC News by eyewitnesses shows people covered in volcanic ash, rock showers and homes ablaze, as well as the scorched aftermath of the disruption.

From BBC

Related Words

• demonstrative
• fidgety
• fiery
• high-strung
• hysterical
• impulsive
• restless
• skittish
• temperamental