entirely harmless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely harmless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that poses no danger or threat at all. Example: "The new policy is intended to be entirely harmless, ensuring that no one feels uncomfortable or at risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"Entirely harmless".

The New Yorker

Such behaviour is almost entirely harmless.

The Guardian

At first glance, the couple in this photograph appear to be involved in a pleasant and entirely harmless activity.

The New Yorker

Weapons have to be destroyed, while industrial chemicals with military uses (few are entirely harmless) are now subject to inspection.

The Economist

Wind turbines are entirely harmless beyond changing the view: fracking, if done badly, risks polluting water and leaking methane.

The Guardian

Even if you never broke the law, you could find yourself facing public criticism for engaging in activities many years ago that seemed entirely harmless.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Totally harmless".

The New Yorker

But this park playground is not entirely as harmless as it looks, according to the New York Public Interest Research Group, a nonprofit watchdog group based in Manhattan.

The New York Times

Healing the wounds incurred during Northern Ireland's "Troubles" will take more effort than simple politics.Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) Philip SchofieldWarminster, WiltshireThe ferret and the mayorSIR – I am no fan of Rudy Giuliani, but he was entirely justified in berating a "harmless ferret-owner" ("Goodbye, Rudy Tuesday", February 2nd).

The Economist

After Tamir Rice, it's clear that the notion of "harmless fun" depends entirely on who is having it.

Vice

It is entirely possible that they would look upon these artifacts not as harmless entertainments but dark prophecy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "entirely harmless" to clearly communicate the absence of any potential danger or negative consequences. This phrase is particularly useful when reassuring someone or describing something with no known risks.

Common error

Avoid using "entirely harmless" when there's even a slight possibility of risk or unintended consequences. Overstating safety can erode trust if the reality doesn't match the claim.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "entirely harmless" is to serve as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun, describing it as completely free from any danger or negative effects. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is suitable for indicating a complete lack of risk.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

21%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "entirely harmless" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that presents no danger or risk. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts, primarily within news and media, as well as scientific domains. While alternatives such as ""completely innocuous"" or ""perfectly safe"" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It is essential to use this phrase accurately, ensuring no potential harm exists to maintain credibility and avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely innocuous

Emphasizes the lack of harmful effects or ill intent; slightly more formal.

perfectly safe

Focuses specifically on the absence of danger or risk.

totally benign

Suggests a gentle and non-threatening nature; often used in medical contexts.

absolutely no risk

Directly states the absence of any potential danger.

utterly innocuous

Similar to "completely innocuous" but with a stronger emphasis.

entirely safe

A shorter variant with the same core meaning, prioritizing conciseness.

poses no threat

Highlights the lack of potential harm or danger.

presents no danger

Similar to "poses no threat" but with a slightly more formal tone.

of no consequence

Indicates that something is unimportant and not likely to cause problems.

all clear

An informal phrase indicating that a situation is safe and without danger.

FAQs

What does "entirely harmless" mean?

The phrase "entirely harmless" means something poses no danger or risk at all. It indicates a complete absence of negative effects or consequences.

How can I use "entirely harmless" in a sentence?

You can use "entirely harmless" to describe something that has no potential to cause harm. For example, "The new policy is intended to be "entirely harmless", ensuring that no one feels uncomfortable or at risk".

What are some alternatives to "entirely harmless"?

You can use alternatives like "completely innocuous", "perfectly safe", or "totally benign" depending on the context.

Is it always accurate to describe something as "entirely harmless"?

No, it's important to be certain that something truly poses no risk before describing it as ""entirely harmless"". If there's any potential for harm, even a small one, it's better to use a more cautious term.