harmless

Definition

Incapable of causing harm or danger; safe.

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”).

Example Sentences

• "Near-synonyms: benign, innocuous, innocent, undamaging, nonthreatening, unthreatening"
• "This snake looks nearly the same as its poisonous cousin but is harmless."
• "His humor can be annoying but is harmless."