noxious

/ˈnɒkʃəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnɑːkʃəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnäk-shəs/ (ame, mw)

noxious — adjective

  • noxiouspositive
  • more noxiouscomparative
  • most noxioussuperlative

1. Able to damage health or other living things, especially if it is breathed in, t

1.形容詞C1
釋義

Able to damage health or other living things, especially if it is breathed in, touched, or eaten.

例句

A noxious gas leaked from the tanker near the night market.

collocation: noxious gas

Residents shut their windows as noxious smoke moved across the street.

collocation: noxious smoke

同義詞
  • toxic

    Often stresses poison or chemical danger more strongly than 'noxious'.

  • poisonous

    Usually points to something that can poison living things directly.

  • harmful

    Broader and more neutral; 'noxious' often sounds stronger and more specific.

反義詞
  • harmless

    Means it does not cause injury or danger.

  • safe

    Emphasises the absence of danger in use or contact.

文法句型

noxious + gas/smoke/liquid/weed

be + noxious

用法筆記

Usually describes gas, smoke, liquids, waste, or plants that can hurt the body. Distinguish it from sense 2, which is more often about a bad social atmosphere or offensive behaviour.

常見錯誤

❌The soup tasted noxious, but I finished it anyway.
✅The soup tasted foul, but I finished it anyway.
💡'Noxious' suggests real harm, not merely an unpleasant taste.

2. So unpleasant that it makes people feel uncomfortable and harms the mood around

2.形容詞C1
釋義

So unpleasant that it makes people feel uncomfortable and harms the mood around them.

例句

After the first insult, the dinner conversation grew noxious.

pattern: grow noxious

The host ended the call when a guest made noxious jokes.

collocation: noxious jokes

同義詞
  • obnoxious

    Stresses strongly unpleasant behaviour, often from a person.

  • offensive

    Highlights that people feel shocked, upset, or insulted.

  • poisonous

    Can be used figuratively for a toxic atmosphere or relationship.

反義詞
  • pleasant

    Describes something enjoyable or agreeable rather than foul.

  • friendly

    Used when the atmosphere or behaviour makes people feel at ease.

文法句型

noxious + jokes/gossip/atmosphere/tone

grow/turn + noxious

用法筆記

Often describes language, behaviour, or an atmosphere that poisons a situation. Unlike sense 1, this meaning usually does not refer to substances that physically damage the body.

常見錯誤

❌I felt noxious during the bus ride.
✅I felt nauseous during the bus ride.
💡'Noxious' describes something offensive or harmful, not your own feeling of sickness.