harmless

adjective

harm·​less ˈhärm-ləs 

1

: free from harm, liability, or loss

2

: lacking capacity or intent to injure : innocuous

a harmless joke

harmlessly adverb

harmlessness noun

Synonyms of harmless

• benign
• safe
• innocent
• innocuous
• inoffensive
• healthy

Examples of harmless in a Sentence

His ideas seem harmless enough.

We're just having a bit of harmless fun.

It was just a harmless joke.

Recent Examples on the Web

Why Supplement Combinations Matter Dietary supplements may seem harmless, but taking too much of certain supplements or misusing them can result in reduced nutrient absorption and other serious side effects. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 Nov. 2025

Here are five times what seemed like a harmless toy turned into a puzzling moment online. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025

This is usually harmless and goes away when intake is reduced. —Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 7 Nov. 2025

In each case, families say the platform shifted from harmless assistance to what attorneys described as an emotionally manipulative presence. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

harmless

adjective

harm·​less ˈhärm-ləs 

1

: free from harm

2

: unable to harm

harmlessly adverb

harmlessness noun

Legal Definition

harmless

adjective

harm·​less

1

: free from harm, liability, or loss

—often used in the phrase to hold harmless see also hold harmless

2

: lacking capacity or intent to injure

harmlessly adverb

harmlessness noun