What it means
Used for a person, relationship, workplace, group chat, game lobby, basically any vibe that leaves everyone feeling drained, manipulated, tense, or low-key poisoned. It’s one of those blunt labels for bad energy that spreads and sticks.
Usage examples
"He left that toxic job and looked ten years younger within a month."
"The lobby was so toxic I muted everyone after one round."
"My flatmate's ex keeps turning up unannounced, it's getting toxic in here."
"That server goes toxic the second we start losing, proper mood-killer."
Where it comes from
It comes straight from toxic meaning poisonous. English speakers started stretching it from literal substances to people and situations that feel emotionally harmful or draining. That figurative use got massive in pop psychology, social media, dating talk, and online gaming, then settled into everyday slang.
