Poisonous and Venomous?

What is the difference between poisonous and venomous?

Poisonous is an adjective describing something that can cause death or injury if it is ingested or absorbed.

Venomous is an adjective describing creatures that inject their victims with a toxin.

Poisonous

The adjective poisonous is used to describe something (often a plant, animal, or chemical) that contains a toxin that is harmful when absorbed, consumed, or inhaled.

Examples:

Venomous

The adjective venomous is used to describe an animal that injects a self-produced toxin into its victim usually through stingers or fangs.

Using Poisonous Figuratively

Poisonous, when used figuratively, means extremely unpleasant or harmful. (It carries the connotation of being passively damaging.)

Examples:

Using Venomous Figuratively

Venomous, when used figuratively, refers to a person (or their behaviour) full of malice or spite. (It carries the connotation of being actively damaging.)

Examples:

A Quick Test

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POISON AND VENOM

Venom is secreted by an animal to harm another. It is usually injected by means of a bite or sting. It contrasts with poison, which is absorbed or ingested (consumed or inhaled).

Poison can be a solid, a liquid, or a gas. Venom, on the other hand, is usually a liquid.

IS THERE REALLY A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POISONOUS AND VENOMOUS?

With so many people using poisonous where they should be using venomous, the distinction between these words is eroding, and some dictionaries cite venomous and poisonous as synonyms. However, it is worth knowing the difference so you showcase your vocabulary skills.




Help Us To Improve English Grammar Lessons
Please tell us using this form.

See Also

What are nouns? What are adjectives? What is figurative language? List of easily confused words