venenoso
/beneˈnoso/
The English word venomous is translated into Spanish as venenoso.
The adjective venenoso is used to describe an animal or parts of its body that produce venom usually injected into an enemy or prey by biting or stinging, as well as describing a bite or sting that injects venom. You may also use the word tóxico/a to convey the idea of being venomous or toxic, especially when describing harmful substances.
Meaning: of an animal or parts of its body: producing venom which is usually injected into an enemy or prey by biting or stinging, of a bite or sting: injecting venom (adj)
Which one should you use?
While English distinguishes between 'venomous' (injecting venom) and 'poisonous' (harmful if ingested), in Spanish the word venenoso is used for both concepts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use venenosa for a feminine singular noun, venenosos for a masculine plural noun and venenosas for a feminine plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/beneˈnoso/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers might describe a person's gaze as venenosa to indicate it is filled with hatred or spite.
- The word venenoso is derived from the Late Latin venēnōsus, which combines the word for 'poison' with a suffix meaning 'full of'.
- The suffix -oso in venenoso is used in Spanish to create adjectives from nouns, often implying an abundance of that quality, similar to how 'mountainous' describes a place full of mountains.
Examples in context
- una serpiente venenosaA venomous snake
- una araña venenosaA venomous spider
- La serpiente es venenosa.The snake is venomous.
- Ese es un escorpión muy venenoso.That is a very venomous scorpion.
- Ten cuidado con ese escorpión venenoso.Be careful with that venomous scorpion.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are hiking in a tropical forest.
- Alejandro¿Viste esa serpiente en el suelo?Did you see that snake on the ground?
- ElenaSí, parece un animal muy venenoso.Yes, it looks like a very venomous animal.
- AlejandroMejor caminemos por el otro sendero.It's better if we walk along the other path.
- ElenaTienes razón, Alejandro, es más seguro.You are right, Alejandro, it is safer.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “venomous” translations and entries venenoso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries venenoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
