toxic
causing unpleasant feelings; harmful or malicious: a toxic boyfriend who wanted complete control over her; toxic criticism.
Finance.
pertaining to or noting debt that will probably not be repaid: toxic mortgages.
pertaining to or noting a financial instrument or other asset that has no value or an unknown value because there is no market for it:toxic mortgage-backed securities.
a toxic chemical or other substance.
Origin of toxic
1Other words from toxic
- tox·i·cal·ly, adverb
- hy·per·tox·ic, adjective
- non·tox·ic, adjective
- non·tox·i·cal·ly, adverb
- post·tox·ic, adjective
- un·tox·ic, adjective
- un·tox·i·cal·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with toxic
- toxic , toxin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for toxic
/ (ˈtɒksɪk) /
of, relating to, or caused by a toxin or poison; poisonous
harmful or deadly
(of a financial asset) likely to cause significant loss to the holder
Origin of toxic
1Derived forms of toxic
- toxically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for toxic
[ tŏk′sĭk ]
Relating to or caused by a toxin.
Capable of causing injury or death, especially by chemical means; poisonous.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Browse