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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Poisonous: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：toxic (poisonous)

poisonous 🔊

/ˈpɔɪzənəs/

adj.

Something that can make you very sick or even kill you if you eat it or touch it.

toxic 🔊

➕

/ˈtɒksɪk/

adj.

Refers to substances that can cause severe illness or death if ingested, touched, or otherwise exposed to.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'poison' (harmful substance) + '-ous' (adjective suffix meaning 'full of'), thus 'full of poison.'

💡 Mnemonic

Poisonous contains 'poison' – imagine a warning label 'POISON' on something dangerous.

📖 Example

I picked up a bright red mushroom, but my friend warned me it might be poisonous and I shouldn't touch it. 🔊 I collected a vividly red mushroom, yet my friend cautioned that it could be toxic and advised against touching it.

🔗 Collocations

poisonous plant – a plant that contains harmful toxins

highly poisonous – extremely toxic and dangerous

poisonous substance – a material that can cause poisoning

🔄 Synonyms

toxic (adj.) – containing or being poisonous material; harmful to living organisms

venomous (adj.) – producing venom, typically used for animals like snakes

noxious (adj.) – harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant

🚫 Antonyms

harmless (adj.) – not able or likely to cause harm

non-toxic (adj.) – not containing poisonous substances

safe (adj.) – not causing or likely to cause harm

🌱 Derivatives

poison (n.) – a substance that causes illness or death when introduced into the body

poisonously (adv.) – in a poisonous manner

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'poisonous' derives from Middle English 'poisonous,' from 'poison,' which comes from Old French 'poison,' ultimately from Latin 'potio' meaning 'drink,' often referring to a poisonous potion. It entered English in the 14th century.

Meaning 2：malicious (poisonous)

poisonous 🔊

/ˈpɔɪzənəs/

adj.

Used to describe words, attitudes, or behavior that are very harmful and damaging to people's feelings or relationships, like poison.

Poisonous behavior concept showing harmful words as toxic green speech bubbles.

malicious 🔊

➕

/məˈlɪʃəs/

adj.

Describes words, attitudes, or behaviors that are intensely harmful and damaging to emotions or relationships, akin to poison.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Her poisonous comments about his work really hurt his confidence and made him doubt his abilities. 🔊 Her malicious remarks regarding his work severely damaged his self-esteem and caused him to question his capabilities.

🔗 Collocations

poisonous attitude – a harmful and negative mindset

poisonous relationship – a damaging and toxic interpersonal connection

poisonous rhetoric – speech that incites harm or division

🔄 Synonyms

malicious (adj.) – intending to do harm; spiteful

spiteful (adj.) – showing malice; wanting to hurt, annoy, or offend someone

venomous (adj.) – full of malice or spite; bitter

🚫 Antonyms

kind (adj.) – having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature

beneficial (adj.) – favorable or advantageous; resulting in good

supportive (adj.) – providing encouragement or emotional help