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

Some belongings are too personal, while others require an extra layer of protection Realtors can’t provide, and a few seemingly harmless items can distract buyers from your home entirely. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

But the seemingly harmless weekend turns into a game of manipulation, and power games. — Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Workers are divided over whether the drink is harmless or a breach of professional etiquette—and recruiters are split, too. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

There were rattlesnakes and vipers in the rest of Canada, but no snakes here in except the harmless garter snake. — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 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