- Today's Word
Noxious
NOK-shuhs
Definition
- (adjective) Harmful, poisonous, or dangerous to health.
Example
The noxious fumes from the factory forced the town to evacuate.
Fun Fact
“Noxious” comes from the Latin noxa, meaning “harm” or “injury.” Historically, it was used to describe deadly gases, polluted air, and poisonous plants. In literature, Shakespeare frequently referenced noxious substances, such as the poison that killed Hamlet’s father. Beyond physical dangers, the word has taken on a figurative meaning, applying to toxic relationships, manipulative people, and harmful ideologies—reminding us that not all poisons come in a bottle.
(adjective) Obviously planned or forced rather than arising naturally; lacking authenticity or spontaneity.
The film’s ending felt contrived — a sudden reconciliation between characters who had spent two hours proving they could never forgive each other.
Contrived comes from the verb contrive, rooted in the Old French controver, meaning “to imagine” or “to find out,” itself from the Latin contropare — “to compare” or “to devise.” It entered English in the 14th century originally meaning simply to plan or devise something cleverly. Over time the word acquired its current negative undertone, shifting from neutral ingenuity toward the suggestion of something manipulated or artificially engineered to produce a desired effect.