-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
1
: free from harm, liability, or loss
2
: lacking capacity or intent to injure : innocuous
a harmless joke
harmlessly
adverb
harmlessness
noun
Synonyms
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
Jar Jar Binks Actor Reflects on Backlash to Phantom Menace: 'My Career Began and Ended' with Star Wars (Exclusive)
Mr. Reed, Grant’s character in Heretic, appears to be harmless at first, welcoming two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into his home.
—Jen Juneau, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Microaggressions can seem harmless or minor, but can accumulate and cause significant stress or discomfort for the recipient.
—Michaela Zee, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
This condition is usually harmless and often gets better during puberty.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
Halloween may be a time for ghouls, goblins, and harmless pranks, but in the digital landscape, there’s a new trick with devastating consequences.
—Lars Daniel, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for harmless
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of harmless was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near harmless
Cite this Entry
“Harmless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/harmless. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on harmless
Nglish: Translation of harmless for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of harmless for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share