volcanic

1 of 2

adjective

vol·​ca·​nic väl-ˈka-nik How to pronounce volcanic (audio)
vȯl-
also -ˈkā-
Synonyms of volcanicnext
1
a
: of, relating to, or produced by a volcano
b
: characterized by volcanoes
a volcanic range
c
: made of materials from volcanoes
2
: explosively violent : volatile
volcanic emotions
volcanically
väl-ˈka-ni-k(-ə)lē How to pronounce volcanic (audio)
vȯl-
also -ˈkā-
adverb

volcanic

2 of 2

noun

: a volcanic rock

Synonyms of volcanic

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of volcanic in a Sentence

Adjective a man with a volcanic temper that could go off at any moment
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.
Adjective
Reaching this secluded region requires specially equipped 4x4s capable of navigating volcanic landscapes, mountain tracks, and glacial river crossings that remain inaccessible for most of the year. — Gwen Nicol, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026 Here in a quiet public garden overlooked by the tourist guides, his fingers reverently trace a volcanic stone from Þingvellir, the ancient cradle of Icelandic democracy. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
The name Etna, volcanic in its association, aligns with the new life being imposed upon him. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Those wanting to get far off the grid can head to Rodrigues, an itty-bitty volcanic dot in the vast Indian Ocean, hundreds of nautical miles from neighbors in any direction. — Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for volcanic

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of volcanic was in 1776

Phrases Containing volcanic

Rhymes for volcanic

See All Rhymes for volcanic

Browse Nearby Words

volcan
volcanic
volcanic ash
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Volcanic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volcanic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

volcanic

adjective
vol·​ca·​nic
väl-ˈkan-ik, 
vȯl-
also -ˈkān-
1
a
: of, relating to, or produced by a volcano
a volcanic eruption
b
: made of materials from volcanoes
volcanic dust
2
: explosively violent
a volcanic rage
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All