nonpoisonous

/ˌnɒnˈpɔɪ.zən.əs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːnˈpɔɪ.zən.əs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌnän-ˈpȯiz-nəs -ˈpȯi-zᵊn-əs/ (ame, mw)

nonpoisonous — adjective

  • nonpoisonouspositive
  • more nonpoisonouscomparative
  • most nonpoisonoussuperlative

1. describing food, plants, liquids, or other things that do not make people or ani

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describing food, plants, liquids, or other things that do not make people or animals ill because of poison.

例句

The field guide said these white flowers are nonpoisonous to cats.

be nonpoisonous to + animal

Before cooking, Linh checked that the leaves were nonpoisonous.

linking verb after safety check

同義詞
  • harmless

    broader; something can be harmless without the point being poison

  • safe

    general word for having no danger, not only danger from poison

  • nontoxic

    common in science and product labels; often used for chemicals and materials

反義詞
  • poisonous

    able to make people or animals sick or die because of poison

  • toxic

    broader and slightly more formal, especially for chemicals

文法句型

nonpoisonous + plant/food/product

be nonpoisonous to + person/animal

用法筆記

Common in product labels, safety guides, and descriptions of food or plants. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense usually describes substances or things people may eat, touch, or use, not animals that defend themselves with poison.

常見錯誤

❌This glue is poisonous for children.
✅This glue is nonpoisonous for children.
💡'poisonous' is the opposite meaning; use 'nonpoisonous' when the product does not contain poison.

2. describing a creature such as a snake, frog, spider, or insect that does not mak

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a creature such as a snake, frog, spider, or insect that does not make poison and cannot defend itself with it.

例句

Kenji picked up the nonpoisonous garden snake and carried it outside.

nonpoisonous + animal noun

The zoo keeps nonpoisonous frogs in a room where young visitors can watch them.

before noun with animal name

同義詞
  • harmless

    broader; an animal may be harmless for many reasons besides lacking poison

  • nonvenomous

    more scientific for animals that do not inject venom by biting or stinging

  • safe

    general word that may refer to behavior as well as poison

反義詞
  • poisonous

    used in everyday English for animals that carry poison

  • venomous

    more exact scientific opposite for animals that inject venom

文法句型

nonpoisonous + animal/insect noun

be nonpoisonous to handle

用法筆記

Usually describes animals, insects, snakes, or spiders when people want reassurance after a scare. Distinguish from sense 1, which usually describes food, plants, or products rather than living creatures.

常見錯誤

❌Every nonpoisonous snake is safe to grab.
✅This snake is nonpoisonous, but you should still handle it carefully.
💡'nonpoisonous' only says the animal does not use poison; it may still bite.