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Definition of "toxic" []

  • Of, relating to, or caused by a toxin or other poison: a toxic condition; toxic hepatitis. (adjective)
  • Capable of causing injury or death, especially by chemical means; poisonous: food preservatives that are toxic in concentrated amounts; a dump for toxic industrial wastes. See Synonyms at poisonous. (adjective)
  • A toxic chemical or other substance. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "toxic" in a sentence
  • "Although we can certainly have toxic relatives, toxic thoughts, or toxic relationships, I generally use the term toxic in discussing two broad classes of toxins: environmental and internal."
  • "TOM COMERFORD, TOUR GUIDE: Have you ever heard of the term toxic assets?"
  • "Lord Patten, the BBC Trust chairman, has signalled that the corporation would address what he called a "toxic" public relations problem by cutting the pay of some of its most senior executives."