Vocabulary in context
SAT Vocabulary Workbook
The closest companion to SATVocab for students who want guided lessons and written practice.
Check the workbook
Harmful
Causing or capable of causing harm or damage; injurious or dangerous.
adjectiveCheck this word before you leave
Pick the meaning. Keys A–D work too.
How well do you know this word now?
Your choice schedules the next review.
💡
Imagine This
Imagine a bright red warning label on a bottle that reads 'Harmful' with a skull icon; simply touching the label makes you step back, picturing the potential danger and damage it could cause.
🔊
Sounds Like
harm full
👀
Looks Like
harm + ful; visually suggests 'full of harm'
📝
Remember This
Harmful comes from harm (injury) plus the suffix -ful (full of). It contrasts with harmless, which means not causing harm.
📚
Other Forms
harmfulnessnoun
harmfullyadverb
harmnoun
🔗
Connect With
detrimental, injurious, deleterious, damaging, hazardous
📌
Note
Use 'harmful' to describe things that could cause damage or injury (chemicals, behaviors, weather, substances). Distinguish from 'dangerous' in some contexts: harmful emphasizes injury or damage, while dangerous emphasizes risk or immediacy. Beware of overusing 'harmful' with abstract ideas; pair with 'potentially' when appropriate.
🧠
Study Deeper
Examples
- Smoking is harmful to your health.
- Certain chemicals can be harmful if inhaled.
Synonyms
detrimentalinjuriousdeleteriousdamagingpernicious
Antonyms
harmlessbeneficialinnocuous
Etymology
From harm (injury) + the suffix -ful (full of); Old English harm, with the -ful suffix forming the adjective in Middle English.
Mnemonic
HARMFUL = harm + full. Remember that something harmful is literally full of harm; picture a bottle labeled 'Harmful' that is overflowing with danger.
Next Word
Continue in alphabetical order.
Try a Random Word
Pick any word below to jump in.
Capitulate
verbTo surrender or yield, typically under negotiated terms or conditions.
Harbor
verbTo shelter or provide refuge for someone; to conceal or protect; to hold in the mind (as in harboring a thought, feeling, or grievance).
Whimsicality
nounThe quality or state of being whimsically playful or fanciful; lighthearted imagination that is unpredictable and charmingly odd.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
Study beyond this word
Turn vocabulary practice into a complete SAT plan
Add a workbook for repetition or the official guide for full-test context.
First-time test takers
Official SAT Guide
Official question styles, test structure, and print practice from the College Board.
Check the official guidePaid Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.