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Definition of harmless

harmless

/ˈhɑːrm.ləs/
harm · less
Adverb:harmlessly
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harmless Lexical Profile

harmless Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Not able or likely to cause physical injury, damage, or danger; safe.

Example

"Although the large garden spider looked intimidating, the biologist assured the students that the species is completely harmless to humans."

2

Lacking any malicious intent or power to offend, upset, or cause trouble; innocent.

Example

"What began as a harmless joke among colleagues accidentally caused confusion during the morning briefing."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for harmless

• Nearby Words

harmful
harmfully
harmfulness
harmless
harmlessly
harmlessness
harmonic

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the noun 'harm' (from Old English 'hearm', meaning hurt or evil) combined with the privative suffix '-less' (from Old English '-leas', meaning free from or without).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Harmless. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/harmless
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