radioactive
/ˌɹeɪdiəʊˈaktɪv/
radioactive means exhibiting radioactivity.
radioactive is pronounced /ˌɹeɪdiəʊˈaktɪv/.
Etymology
Coined by Pierre Curie and Marie Curie in 1898 as French radio-actif, equivalent to English radio- + active.
adj
- Exhibiting radioactivity.“As a matter of fact many of our best drinking waters have all sorts of unspecified qualities. Burton water, for example, is radioactive by Beetham's standards up to the ninth degree.”
- Dangerous and disgusting, particularly of people or ideas.“Even sleazy tactics and his radioactive mouth may not be able to contain this debacle.”
noun
- Any radioactive substance.“Any ship nearby will receive a lethal dose of gamma rays, neutrons, and other radioactives.”