poison
A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism when ingested.
Noun 4 meanings
A substance that is harmful or lethal to a living organism when ingested.
“Near-synonym: (loosely) venom”
Anything harmful to a person or thing.
“Gossip is a malicious poison.”
An alcoholic drink. (Mainly in the phrases "name your poison" and "what's your poison?")
“— What's your poison? — I'll have a glass of whiskey.”
Any substance that inhibits catalytic activity.
Verb 4 meanings
To use poison to kill or paralyse (somebody).
“The assassin poisoned the king.”
To pollute; to cause to become poisonous.
“That factory is poisoning the river.”
To cause to become much worse.
“Suspicion will poison their relationship.”
To cause (someone) to hate or to have unfair negative opinions.
“She's poisoned him against all his old friends.”
Etymology
From Middle English poysoun, poyson, pusoun, from Old French poison, poisun, from Latin pōtiōnem (“drink, a draught, a poisonous draught, a potion”), from pōtō (“to drink”). See also potion and potable (from the same root). Mostly displaced native Old English ātor and lybb. See more at atter.
Similar and opposite words
POISON at a glance
POISON has 6 letters and scores 8 points in Scrabble (P 3 + O 1 + I 1 + S 1 + O 1 + N 1) and 10 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #6,182 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with poison
All rhymesOne letter away
- PRISON8
- FOISON9
- POYSON11
- TOISON6
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