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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Toxic: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：harmful relationships (toxic)

toxic 🔊

/ˈtɒksɪk/

adj.

Something that makes people feel very unhappy and hurt over time.

Toxic relationship illustration: person distancing from emotional conflict

harmful relationships 🔊

➕

/ˈhɑːrmfəl rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪps/

adj.

Describes relationships, environments, or behaviors that are emotionally or psychologically damaging, draining, and detrimental to one's well-being over time.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'toxikon' (poison for arrows), from 'toxon' (bow).

💡 Mnemonic

TOXIC: Think of a TICk (insect) that injects poison, making a situation harmful.

📖 Example

She decided to end the friendship because it had become toxic and was affecting her mental health. 🔊 She chose to terminate the friendship as it had turned harmful and was negatively impacting her psychological state.

🔗 Collocations

toxic relationship – a relationship characterized by conflict, criticism, or manipulation

toxic environment – a setting that fosters negativity, stress, or harm

toxic behavior – actions that are manipulative, controlling, or emotionally abusive

🔄 Synonyms

harmful (adj.) – causing or capable of causing damage or injury, especially to mental health.

destructive (adj.) – causing great and irreparable damage to relationships or morale.

poisonous (adj.) – having a damaging or corrupting effect on an atmosphere or situation.

🚫 Antonyms

healthy (adj.) – conducive to good physical or emotional well-being; beneficial.

nourishing (adj.) – providing emotional or mental sustenance and support.

beneficial (adj.) – producing good or helpful effects.

🌱 Derivatives

toxicity (n.) – the quality or degree of being poisonous or harmful.

toxin (n.) – a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms.

detoxify (v.) – to remove toxic substances or qualities; to make safe.

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Greek 'toxikon pharmakon' meaning 'poison for arrows'. It entered English in the 1660s via Latin 'toxicus' (poisoned). Its modern metaphorical use to describe harmful social dynamics became popular in psychology and media in the late 20th century.

Meaning 2：poisonous substances (toxic)

toxic 🔊

/ˈtɒksɪk/

adj.

Something that contains poison and can make you very sick or even kill you.

Toxic substance handling: worker in hazmat suit with dangerous chemical

poisonous substances 🔊

➕

/ˈpɔɪzənəs ˈsʌbstənsɪz/

adj.

Describes substances, chemicals, or fumes that contain poison and can cause illness, injury, or death if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Workers had to evacuate the factory immediately when a toxic gas leak was detected. 🔊 Employees were required to leave the factory at once upon the discovery of a poisonous gas leak.

🔗 Collocations

toxic waste – hazardous, poisonous industrial byproducts requiring special disposal

toxic chemicals – substances that can cause harm to living organisms

toxic fumes – harmful gases or vapors released from substances

🔄 Synonyms

poisonous (adj.) – capable of causing illness or death if taken into the body.

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

venomous (adj.) – (of an animal) secreting venom; or (figuratively) full of malice or spite.

🚫 Antonyms

nontoxic (adj.) – not poisonous or harmful.

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

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

🌱 Derivatives

toxicity (n.) – the quality or degree of being poisonous or harmful.

intoxicate (v.) – to poison; or to make someone lose control of their faculties from alcohol/drugs.

antitoxin (n.) – an antibody that counteracts a toxin.