toxicity
tok-SIS-ih-tee
/tɒkˈsɪsɪti/
The quality or degree of being poisonous or harmful to living organisms.
It refers to the measurable level of harm a substance can cause. It is a noun of state or quality.
The story behind the word. The word traces back to the Greek 'toxikon pharmakon,' which literally means 'poison for arrows.' The word 'toxon' meant 'bow.' Ancient warriors would dip their arrows in poison, and eventually, the word for the bow became the word for the poison itself.
Word relationships
- poisonousness: Poisonousness is a simpler, less technical term for the same concept.
- nontoxicity: The state of being safe and not poisonous.
Commonly confused with
- virulence: Virulence refers specifically to the severity of a disease or poison from a biological source like a virus.
Word family
- toxic (adjective): Poisonous.
- toxin (noun): A poison of plant or animal origin.
Collocations
- high toxicity
- toxicity levels
- acute toxicity
Example sentences
- "The toxicity of the soil near the landfill has reached levels that are unsafe for local wildlife." Environmental health report.
- "Researchers are testing the long-term toxicity of microplastics on marine ecosystems." Toxicology study.
Memory hook
Think of 'toxic' arrows being shot from a 'toxon' (bow). Poison arrow.
When not to use
In casual conversation, 'toxic' is often used for bad relationships, but 'toxicity' in this context should remain focused on chemical or environmental harm.
Fun facts
- Botox is actually a highly diluted form of botulinum toxin, one of the most acutely lethal substances known.
Related words
Explore more words
toxic, pollutant, bioaccumulate, hazard, necrosis, susceptibility
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