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

The cowboy routine in DFW is mostly a harmless extension of Halloween, and/or people trying too hard. —Mac Engel june 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2026

Peeing in the shower may seem like a harmless habit, and there isn't a lot of direct scientific evidence to suggest otherwise. —Angela Ryan Lee, Verywell Health, 3 June 2026

McCarty adds that while many sleepmaxxing practices are relatively harmless, mouth taping may be the exception. —Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 2 June 2026

And while occasional smoking might seem like a harmless habit, its effects can add up. —Hannah Harper, Health, 2 June 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