First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
noxious
adjective nox·ious \ˈnäk-shəs\
: harmful to living things
Full Definition of NOXIOUS
1
a : physically harmful or destructive to living beings <noxious waste> b : constituting a harmful influence on mind or behavior; especially : morally corrupting <noxious doctrines>
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Origin of NOXIOUS
Middle English noxius, from Latin, from noxa harm; akin to Latin nocēre to harm, nec-, nex violent death, Greek nekros dead body
Related to NOXIOUS
- Synonyms
- insalubrious, noisome, unhealthy, sickly, unhealthful, unwholesome
Synonym Discussion of NOXIOUS
pernicious, baneful, noxious, deleterious, detrimental mean exceedingly harmful. pernicious implies irreparable harm done through evil or insidious corrupting or undermining <the claim that pornography has a pernicious effect on society>. baneful implies injury through poisoning or destroying <the baneful notion that discipline destroys creativity>. noxious applies to what is both offensive and injurious to the health of a body or mind <noxious chemical fumes>. deleterious applies to what has an often unsuspected harmful effect <a diet found to have deleterious effects>. detrimental implies obvious harmfulness to something specified <the detrimental effects of excessive drinking>.
Other Ecology Terms
NOXIOUSNESS Defined for Kids
noxious
adjective nox·ious \ˈnäk-shəs\
Definition of NOXIOUS for Kids
: causing harm <noxious fumes>
Medical Dictionary
noxious
adjective nox·ious \ˈnäk-shəs\
Medical Definition of NOXIOUS
: physically harmful or destructive to living beings <noxious wastes>
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