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

But this seemingly harmless shortcut to clean shoes is one habit worth breaking. —Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 20 Jan. 2026

In the 1500s tobacco was considered harmless and even prescribed by physicians to ease headaches and calm patients. —David Thomas, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Many users do not realize the danger because WhatsApp Web feels harmless. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026

Fatphobia is not harmless humor. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 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