harmless

harm-less · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Not able or likely to cause harm, damage, or injury.

  2. 2.

    Innocent and unlikely to cause offense or upset.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    harmless fun — innocent entertainment that doesn't hurt anyone
  • •
    harmless prank — a joke that causes no real damage
  • •
    relatively harmless — mostly safe with minimal risk

Related words

Antonyms: dangerous, harmful, hazardous, injurious
See also: harm, harmful, innocent, safe
Synonyms: benign, innocuous, inoffensive, safe

Etymology

From Middle English, formed from harm + the suffix -less ("without"). The word harm derives from Old English hearm ("grief, pain, injury").