Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
nonvenomous

nonvenomous

1 4.3
Not able to put poison into another animal by biting or stinging
  • adjective
  • /nɒnˈvɛnəməs/
translation icon : no venenoso
  • nonvenomous snake

Examples

  • With a single flick of the tongue, for example, and at a considerable distance, hatchlings can pick up chemical cues in the environment, enabling their olfactory system to distinguish venomous from nonvenomous snakes.

    Academic text (1995)

  • A bite from a nonvenomous snake is usually harmless and doesn't require medical attention.

  • The teacher explained that some snakes in the area are nonvenomous, making them safe to handle.

  • Unlike their venomous relatives, nonvenomous snakes rely on constriction to subdue their prey.

Antonyms

venomous
11 4.4

An animal that can put poison into the body with a bite or sting

How Venomous

venomous
11 4.4
nonvenomous
1 4.3

Surface Forms

nonvenomous positive

Morphology

nonvenomous = venomous (transparent) = non + venom + ous

The word is transparently formed by negating 'venomous' with the prefix 'non-'.

Etymology

Nonvenomous combines non- meaning 'not' with venom meaning 'poison', so it literally means 'not poisonous'. That's why we use nonvenomous to describe animals that do not produce or inject venom.