harmless

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   not causing or capable of causing harm

   harmless bacteria

2. 2
   adj

   Incapable of causing harm or danger; safe.

   Near-synonyms: benign, innocuous, innocent, undamaging, nonthreatening, unthreatening

3. 3
   adj

   Not intended to harm; inoffensive.

   His humor can be annoying but is harmless.

4. 4
   adj

   Unharmed.

Etymology

From Middle English harmles, from Old English *hearmlēas, from Proto-Germanic *harmalausaz (“without harm; harmless”), equivalent to harm + -less. Cognate with German harmlos (“harmless”), Danish harmløs (“harlmess”), Swedish harmlös (“harmless”).