atoxic

7.4

A thing that is not poisonous to people or animals

adjective
/əˈtɒksɪk/

Specialized

: atóxico

Doctors prefer to use atoxic dyes during medical imaging procedures to avoid harmful reactions.

Examples

Researchers discovered that the new compound was completely atoxic in animal trials.
The laboratory is equipped to test whether a substance is atoxic before further use.
The atoxic plant is safe for pets.
Many atoxic substances are used in organic farming.
Doctors prefer to use atoxic dyes during medical imaging procedures to avoid harmful reactions.
Researchers discovered that the new compound was completely atoxic in animal trials.
The laboratory is equipped to test whether a substance is atoxic before further use.

Synonyms

nontoxic

vsatoxic

5 3.4

Safe for people, animals, and the environment

focuses on absence of toxin production rather than broad environmental safety

nonpoisonous

vsatoxic

1 2.5

Not containing poison and safe to touch or eat

refers to absence of toxins rather than focusing on safe handling

non-poisonous

vsatoxic

2.5

Safe to eat, touch, or use

focuses on not producing or resulting from toxins rather than covering all involvement

innoxious

vsatoxic

9.5

Not harmful to people or animals

is specific to absence of poison not general harmlessness

Antonyms

toxic

380 4.0

Containing poison that can cause harm or death

How Toxic

lethal

193 4.8

toxic

380 4.0

poisonous

90 2.8

atoxic

Specialized

7.4

Surface Forms

atoxic positive

Morphology

atoxic = toxic (semi-transparent) = a + tox + ic

The meaning is directly 'not toxic', but the privative prefix 'a-' is a learned scientific pattern that many B1 learners may not readily use productively.

Etymology

The word atoxic is made of a- meaning 'not' and toxic meaning 'poison', so a helpful way to remember it is 'not toxic'. That's why atoxic describes something that is 'not poisonous' and safe to use.