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

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

It’s a sandy loam mixed with lightweight volcanic aggregate to provide the volume and moisture needed to support plant life while reducing the weight on the structure and allowing for easy drainage.

From Los Angeles Times

Ironically enough, climate-change deniers sometimes attribute the current rise in temperatures to volcanic activity, a hypothesis that has been thoroughly debunked.

From Salon

Drilling into volcanic magma sounds potentially risky, but Mr Guðmundsson thinks otherwise.

From BBC

Related Words

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