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

This makes harmful language appear harmless or funny. —Sharlette A. Kellum, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026

Williams gave up a leadoff single to Chapman — who was thrown out attempting to steal second — but then gave up only a harmless single to Heliot Ramos before closing it out. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 5 Apr. 2026

Across social media, videos show pups reacting to everything from fake treats and disappearing acts to harmless tricks like surprising them on walks outside, leaving them confused, curious and hilariously offended. —Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026

Stay sharp out there, and consider this your invitation to stir up a little harmless mischief of your own. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026

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