Environment / B2

TOKS-ik/ˈtɒksɪk/

Toxic means poisonous, or very harmful to people and culture: toxic waste; a toxic culture; toxic debate. Poisonous is the everyday twin for substances; noxious is formal. Toxicity is the noun. Do not call a mild disagreement toxic. Health and HR both use toxic in UK news.

Meaning

Poisonous; also very harmful to people or a culture (a toxic debate).

Examples

• “The dump was fenced after toxic waste was found.”
• “Staff described a toxic culture of blame, which is the workplace metaphor.”

Good to know

toxic waste / chemicals / culture. Everyday substance: poisonous. Noun: toxicity. Metaphor: toxic debate / culture. Not a mild row.

Near in meaning

poisonous

Topics

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