poisonous

poisonous — adjective

1. containing poison, or acting like poison, so that a person or animal can become

1.形容詞B2
釋義

containing poison, or acting like poison, so that a person or animal can become very sick or die when it enters the body.

例句

Several poisonous mushrooms were growing beside the picnic tables in the park.

poisonous + plant/food noun

A warning sign said the factory smoke was poisonous to nearby birds.

be poisonous to + living thing

同義詞
  • toxic

    broader and slightly more formal; common for chemicals, air, and waste

  • deadly

    emphasizes the risk of death, not specifically poison

  • unsafe

    much broader; can describe danger without poison

反義詞
  • harmless

    not able to hurt people or animals

  • safe

    general opposite when there is no danger

文法句型

poisonous + plant/food/substance

be poisonous to + person/animal

用法筆記

Usually said of plants, food, smoke, gas, chemicals, or waste. Distinguish from 'poisoned': poisonous describes something harmful by nature or type, while poisoned describes something that poison was put into.

常見錯誤

❌Someone poisoned mushrooms grow behind the cabin.
✅Poisonous mushrooms grow behind the cabin.
💡'poisonous' describes something naturally harmful; 'poisoned' means poison was added.

2. describing an animal or insect that makes poison in its body and uses it to prot

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing an animal or insect that makes poison in its body and uses it to protect itself or harm another creature.

例句

Bright frogs in this forest are poisonous, so children never touch them.

animal subject + be poisonous

The guide warned us that one small island spider was poisonous.

同義詞
  • venomous

    more exact in biology for animals that inject poison by biting or stinging

  • toxic

    broader and more formal; not especially tied to animals

  • dangerous

    much wider; danger may come from size, speed, or attack, not poison

反義詞

文法句型

poisonous + animal/insect noun

be poisonous to touch

用法筆記

Subject is usually an animal, insect, fish, or similar creature. Everyday English often uses this word where a biologist might prefer 'venomous', especially for animals that bite or sting. Distinguish from sense 1 (CAUSES POISONING): sense 1 is mostly about plants, food, or substances.

常見錯誤

❌The spider was poisoned, so stay back.
✅The spider was poisonous, so stay back.
💡'poisoned' means poison was put into it; 'poisonous' describes an animal that carries poison.

3. extremely nasty in attitude, words, or atmosphere, showing a strong wish to hurt

3.形容詞C1
釋義

extremely nasty in attitude, words, or atmosphere, showing a strong wish to hurt someone.

例句

After the divorce hearing, the room turned poisonous and nobody shook hands.

turn poisonous = become hostile

Marcus sent a poisonous email to his brother after the money argument.

poisonous + words/message noun

同義詞
  • malicious

    more formal; stresses an intention to harm

  • bitter

    focuses more on anger and resentment than active harm

  • toxic

    modern and broader; common for relationships or workplaces

  • nasty

    more everyday and slightly less intense

反義詞
  • kind

    showing care rather than hostility

  • friendly

    creating a warm and welcoming feeling

文法句型

poisonous + remark/email/look

grow/turn poisonous

用法筆記

Common with nouns for language and atmosphere, such as remark, letter, rumor, relationship, and silence. Distinguish from senses 1 and 2: this sense is figurative and describes hostility, not real poison.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting became poison after the vote.
✅The meeting became poisonous after the vote.
💡use the adjective after a linking verb when describing a hostile atmosphere.