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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Venomous: Definition, Usage & Key Distinctions (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：poisonous (animal) (venomous)

venomous 🔊

/ˈvenəməs/

adj.

Used to describe animals that produce poison and can inject it when they bite or sting.

Venomous snake illustration showing viper fangs with venom drop in grass.

poisonous (animal) 🔊

➕

/ˈpɔɪzənəs/

adj.

Describes an animal, especially a snake, spider, or insect, that produces a toxic substance (venom) and can deliver it through a bite or sting.

📁 Category：Animal Protection 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'venenum' (poison, drug) + suffix '-ous' (having the qualities of).

💡 Mnemonic

Think: VENom in the mOUSe. A mouse with venom is a 'venomous' creature.

📖 Example

The guide warned us to watch our step because the forest is home to several venomous snakes. 🔊 The guide warned us to be careful where we walked as the forest contains many snakes capable of injecting poison.

🔗 Collocations

venomous snake – A snake that can inject venom

venomous bite – A bite that injects poison

venomous species – A type of animal that produces venom

🔄 Synonyms

toxic (adj.) – Containing or being poisonous material.

poisonous (adj.) – Capable of causing illness or death if absorbed, often used more broadly than 'venomous'.

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

🚫 Antonyms

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

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

🌱 Derivatives

venom (n.) – A poisonous substance secreted by animals.

venomously (adv.) – In a venomous manner.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'venomous' traces back to the Latin 'venenum,' which originally referred to a potion, charm, or poison—something with an active, often magical or harmful, power. This connection highlights how language links the physical poison of an animal to the harmful intent behind words.

Meaning 2：spiteful or malicious (venomous)

venomous 🔊

/ˈvenəməs/

adj.

Used to describe people or what they say when they are very mean and full of hate, like they want to hurt you with words.

Venomous person concept showing angry expression while typing malicious comments.

spiteful or malicious 🔊

➕

/ˈspaɪtfəl ɔːr məˈlɪʃəs/

adj.

Describes a person, their attitude, or their speech as being full of malice, bitterness, or a strong desire to harm someone emotionally.

📁 Category：Social Roles, Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

After the game, the losing team's coach made some venomous remarks about the referee's fairness. 🔊 Following the match, the coach of the defeated team spoke with bitter malice, questioning the referee's impartiality.

🔗 Collocations

venomous remark – A comment made with great spite or malice

venomous tongue – A tendency to speak in a cruel and malicious way

venomous attack – A harsh and malicious verbal or written criticism

🔄 Synonyms

malicious (adj.) – Intending or intended to do harm.

spiteful (adj.) – Showing or caused by malice.

vindictive (adj.) – Having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge.

🚫 Antonyms

kind-hearted (adj.) – Having a kind and sympathetic nature.

benevolent (adj.) – Well meaning and kindly.