Poisonous vs Toxic

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Poisonous	Toxic
Meaning	Something that can make you sick or kill you.	something harmful or poison.
CEFR level	B1	C1
Part of speech	adjective	adjective
Usage notes	Use 'poisonous' to describe plants or animals that can harm people. It's appropriate in scientific contexts and everyday discussions, but be careful not to confuse it with 'venomous', which applies to animals that inject poison.	Typically used to describe substances, relationships, or environments that are harmful. Avoid using in casual settings when discussing minor issues.

Frequently asked questions: Poisonous vs Toxic

What's the difference between "Poisonous" and "Toxic"?

"Poisonous" means: Something that can make you sick or kill you. "Toxic" means: something harmful or poison.

When should I use "Poisonous" and "Toxic"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Poisonous" and "Toxic" the same CEFR level?

"Poisonous" is at B1, "Toxic" is at C1 on the CEFR scale.