harmless

1 of 2

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

harmlessness

2 of 2

noun

harm·​less·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being harmless

Synonyms of harmless

Adjective

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

Examples of harmless in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

Participants agree to release and hold harmless The Athletic, the Podcast and Podcast hosts from any claims arising out of participation in the Competition or prize acceptance/use. — The Athletic, New York Times, 20 July 2026

That includes items that seem harmless back home, like those gummies to help with sleep. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 17 July 2026

For some workers, letting AI write a message to a coworker may seem like a harmless time-saving hack, while others view it as inconsiderate or rude. — Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 15 July 2026

And the line between harmless and hazardous isn’t always obvious. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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