phototoxic

adjective

pho·​to·​tox·​ic ˌfō-tō-ˈtäk-sik How to pronounce phototoxic (audio)
1
: rendering the skin susceptible to damage (such as sunburn or blisters) upon exposure to light and especially ultraviolet light
phototoxic antibiotics
2
: induced by a phototoxic substance
phototoxicity noun

Examples of phototoxic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Phytophotodermatitis from making sangria: a phototoxic reaction to lime and lemon juice. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2017 And then there's the more common ruta graveolens, a phototoxic plant with sap that can make your hands blister in bright sunlight, and so on and so on. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 30 May 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of phototoxic was in 1931

Dictionary Entries Near phototoxic

Cite this Entry

“Phototoxic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phototoxic. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

phototoxic

adjective
pho·​to·​tox·​ic ˌfōt-ō-ˈtäk-sik How to pronounce phototoxic (audio)
1
: rendering the skin susceptible to damage (as sunburn or blisters) upon exposure to light and especially ultraviolet light
phototoxic antibiotics
a phototoxic topical agent
2
: induced by a phototoxic substance
a phototoxic response
phototoxicity noun
plural phototoxicities
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