harmless

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "harmless" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is not harmful or dangerous. For example: "The spider is harmless and won't cause any harm, so there's no need to be scared of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Antibiotics change the normal gut flora very quickly – wiping out the indigenous, harmless bacteria and leaving the patient susceptible to resistant bacteria such as Clostridium difficile.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They might look harmless enough written down, but when they are said aloud by a presenter during the final episode of an entertainment show, they instantly become a threat.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Some games that parents consider harmless, like Farmville, encourage in-app purchases in order to progress in the game, and stories have circulated online about people becoming so obsessed with it that they're neglecting their children, or children have taken their parents' credit cards.

The Guardian - Tech

Small relays the true story of when, aged 14, he awoke from what he thought was a harmless operation to find a thick scar upon his throat and a vocal cord removed.

The Guardian - Books

(I mostly get harmless "Can't believe you get paid to write this shit" comments).

The Guardian - Opinion

The clubs then use them as sounding boards for the opinions of their general support, which is where a harmless pastime can become quite dangerous.

The Guardian - Sport

But I've heard from a lot of men who say reading these articles has made them rethink sexist behaviour that they had previously considered to be harmless.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was another reminder of the split between the harmless fun of the Sun and its capacity for casual cruelty.

The Guardian

Is it childish and immature or just a harmless bit of "banter"?

The Guardian

Cute! See, Fey's Palin impression was a big hit for the show back in 2008, got marvellous ratings, and will long be remembered as a seminal SNL moment – but not, as one might think, because Sarah Palin was some wacky, harmless goofball destined to be a delightful footnote in the annals of election history.

The Guardian - Opinion

Five years later, she built a houseboat on Hickling Broad, Norfolk, where locals "looked on me as a harmless lunatic," she recalled.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing potential consequences, use "harmless" to reassure your audience that there are no negative impacts to worry about. For example, "The experiment is harmless and poses no threat to the environment."

Common error

Avoid using "harmless" when there are potential, albeit minor, risks involved. Instead, opt for phrases like "low-risk" or "minimal impact" to accurately reflect the situation. Be careful not to mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "harmless" primarily functions to describe something as not capable of causing harm or damage. Ludwig confirms this, providing numerous examples where "harmless" qualifies nouns, emphasizing their lack of danger.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "harmless" is used to describe something that is not capable of causing harm or danger. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common, appearing most frequently in News & Media sources. When writing, ensure that "harmless" accurately reflects the absence of potential negative consequences and consider using synonyms like "innocuous" or "benign" to vary your language. Avoid misusing "harmless" to oversimplify risks and, as a best practice, use it to reassure your audience about the lack of negative impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

innocuous

Emphasizes the lack of harmful effects or intentions, often implying a subtle or understated quality of being harmless.

benign

Highlights the gentle and kind nature, often used in medical contexts to describe non-cancerous conditions.

inoffensive

Focuses on the lack of causing offense or displeasure, suitable when describing behaviors or remarks.

safe

Indicates the absence of risk or danger, emphasizing security and protection from harm.

innocent

Implies a lack of guilt or malicious intent, often used when describing actions or individuals.

non-toxic

Specifically refers to the absence of poisonous or harmful substances, commonly used in scientific or environmental contexts.

non-hazardous

Highlights the lack of potential dangers or risks, often used in industrial or safety-related contexts.

undamaging

Emphasizes the lack of causing any physical or structural harm or damage.

risk-free

Indicates the complete absence of any potential risks or negative consequences.

harmless as a fly

This simile emphasizes the utter lack of threat, portraying something as completely innocuous.

FAQs

How can I use "harmless" in a sentence?

You can use "harmless" to describe something that does not cause any harm or danger. For example, "The small spider in the garden is "harmless" and won't bite."

What are some alternatives to saying "harmless"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "innocuous", "benign", or "inoffensive".

Which is correct: "harmless to" or "harmless for"?

"Harmless to" is generally the correct usage when indicating who or what is not affected by harm. For example, "The vaccine is "harmless to" humans."

What's the difference between "harmless" and "safe"?

"Harmless" implies a lack of potential to cause harm, while "safe" suggests protection from potential danger or risk. Something can be "harmless" without necessarily being safe; a rock is "harmless" in that it won't intentionally hurt you, but throwing it could make it a hazard and thus not safe.