venomous meaning and examples

2025-09-04

Meaning

  • Venomous (adjective) refers to animals, especially snakes, spiders, or insects, that produce venom and can inject it through a bite or sting.
  • It can also be used figuratively to describe speech or behavior that is full of hatred or spite.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Adjective

  • Used before nouns or after linking verbs like be, seem, become.

  • Two common senses:

    • Literal: describing animals that produce venom.
    • Figurative: describing speech or tone that is full of malice or hostility.

Structures:

  • a venomous snake/spider
  • Her words were venomous.

Common Phrases

  • Venomous bite
  • Venomous snake
  • Venomous words
  • Venomous look

Collocations

  • Venomous + animal: snake, spider, scorpion
  • Venomous + attack/words
  • Highly venomous, deadly venomous

Examples

  1. The cobra is one of the most venomous snakes in the world.
  2. That spider is venomous, so be careful not to touch it.
  3. He gave me a venomous look when I disagreed with him.
  4. Her venomous comments hurt more than she realized.
  5. The rainforest is home to many venomous creatures.
  6. Some snakes are not dangerous even though they are venomous.
  7. His voice was filled with venomous hatred.
  8. Scientists study the venomous properties of snakes to create antivenom.
  • Literal: poisonous (though technically different), toxic, deadly
  • Figurative: spiteful, hateful, malicious, bitter