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

• 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

The Bottom Line Pink spots or streaks on cheese can be caused by several different factors, ranging from harmless color changes to bacterial growth. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025

Most sunscreens use either chemical filters (like avobenzone or oxybenzone) that absorb UV rays and convert them into harmless heat, or mineral filters (like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) that act as a physical shield, reflecting rays away from the skin. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025

Making matters worse, this life-threatening condition can begin from something as seemingly harmless as pneumonia, a urinary tract infection or even a deep cut. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025

The new therapy works by using a harmless virus to deliver special genetic instructions to the brain, researchers said. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th 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