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 of harmless

• 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

Two harmless flyouts to center. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 May 2026

But that search, Fesler said, is not as harmless as scraping together enough quarters to buy an ice cream cone. —Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026

Jackson and other experts detail why apple cores and other food waste are harmful, and why the best way to protect our natural habitats is not to throw anything out, even the seemingly harmless bits. —Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026

Lying Down After Eating Can Trigger Heartburn Eating a meal, then lying down to relax or doze off, may seem harmless, but doing so can contribute to reflux or heartburn symptoms. —Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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