Innocuous

Not harmful or offensive; harmless and unlikely to cause a reaction or injury.

adjective

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Imagine This

Picture a small, friendly insect that lands on your hand and simply rests there with no bite or sting, proving it is innocuous.

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Sounds Like

ih-NOK-yoo-uhs

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Looks Like

Looks like the word 'innocent' in spelling, hinting at a harmless meaning.

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Remember This

Etymology connects to innocence: innocuous comes from Latin innocuus meaning not harmful, related to but distinct from 'innocent.'

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Other Forms

innocuouslyadverb

innocuousnessnoun

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Connect With

harmless, benign, safe, inoffensive, nonharmful

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Note

Common pitfall: do not confuse with 'innocent' (free from guilt) or with 'noxious' (harmful). Innocuous often describes things that are safe or inoffensive, not dangerous or provocative.

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Study Deeper

Examples

The medication is innocuous and has minimal side effects.
Her question was innocuous and drew only polite laughter.

Synonyms

harmlessbenigninoffensivenonharmful

Antonyms

harmfuldangerousinjurious

Etymology

From Latin innocuus meaning not harmful, formed from in- 'not' + nocuus 'harmful'.

Mnemonic

IN-NO-HARM-ous: read as 'in no harm,' reminding you that innocuous means not harmful.

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Sarcasm

noun

A sharp, often ironic remark intended to mock or convey contempt.

Flagrant

adjective

Glaring; scandalous; conspicuously wrong or outrageous

Assuage

verb

To make something less severe or painful; to relieve or ease (emotions, pain, hunger, or discomfort).

Similar Words

Related words and words with the same part of speech.

Benign

adjective

Gentle and kind-hearted; harmless or not dangerous, especially in medical contexts describing non-cancerous conditions or tumors.

Abstruse

adjective

Difficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.

Accidental

adjective

Happening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.

Acerbic

adjective

Sharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.

Acquiescent

adjective

Ready to agree or approve without protest; compliant.

Adamant

adjective

Rigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.

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