poi ‧ son ‧ ous /ˈpɔɪz ə nəs/ BrE AmE adjective
1 . containing poison or producing poison:
Some mushrooms are extremely poisonous.
poisonous gases such as hydrogen sulfide
poisonous substances
She was bitten on the ankle by a poisonous snake.
poisonous to
The berries are poisonous to birds.
2 . full of bad and unfriendly feelings:
the poisonous atmosphere of the office
3 . British English someone who is poisonous seems to get pleasure from causing arguments, unhappiness etc:
That poisonous bastard Lucett told Morris I was seeing his wife.
—poisonously adverb
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THESAURUS
▪ poisonous containing or producing a substance that is likely to kill you, or make you very ill:
poisonous gas
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poisonous snakes
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The plant is poisonous to humans and animals.
▪ toxic toxic chemicals and waste are poisonous to people and the environment:
Crops were sprayed with highly toxic chemicals.
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Lead is toxic to humans.
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The site was used for the disposal of toxic waste.
▪ noxious [usually before noun] formal noxious substances and gases are poisonous:
Vehicles pollute the air with noxious fumes
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The soil may be contaminated with noxious substances.
▪ hazardous [usually before noun] hazardous substances are likely to harm people, animals, or the environment if they are not dealt with or got rid of carefully:
Lead is one of the most hazardous substances known, causing cancer and nerve damage.
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The building is now unoccupied, and all radioactive or hazardous materials have been removed.
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hazardous nuclear waste
▪ deadly extremely poisonous and likely to kill you – used especially about poisons and snakes:
a deadly poison
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a deadly snake
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Terrorists plotted to release a deadly gas.
■ COLLOCATIONS CHECK
▪ poisonous gas/substance/chemical/snake/insect/plant
▪ toxic chemical/substance/waste
▪ noxious substance/gas/fumes
▪ hazardous waste/material/chemical
▪ deadly poison/snake/gas/virus/disease