Harmless

Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

IPA: /ˈhɑːmləs/

Definitions

• Not causing harm or injury; safe.
• Innocuous; not likely to cause danger or injury.

Usage Examples

• "The harmless snake was more interested in finding food than in attacking anyone."
• "His harmless joke made everyone laugh without offense."

Etymology

From Middle English *harmless* (meaning "without harm"), combining *harm* (meaning "hurt" or "injury") and the suffix *-less* (meaning "without").

Synonyms

Innocuous, benign, safe, non-threatening, unharmful

Antonyms

Harmful, dangerous, injurious, unsafe, perilous

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• American English: /ˈhɑːmləs/
• British English: /ˈhɑːmləs/

Historical Usage

The term *harmless* has been in use since Middle English, derived from the combination of "harm" and "-less." It has consistently been used to describe things, actions, or substances that do not pose a threat or cause injury.

Cultural Nuances

In many cultures, the idea of being "harmless" extends beyond physical safety to include social interactions, where someone might be described as "harmless" if they are not capable of causing emotional harm or disruption. The term is often used in a reassuring context, indicating safety or peace.

More Information

The word *harmless* is often used to refer to animals or actions that do not pose a threat. For instance, harmless animals are those that do not cause injury, while harmless behavior might refer to actions that do not cause offense or harm to others. In modern discourse, *harmless* can also be used to describe substances or actions that are safe for both humans and the environment. Understanding what is truly "harmless" often requires context—what is harmless to one person or group may not be seen as harmless by another, especially in terms of social or emotional impact.