harm
(noun, verb)
past tense: harmed
LISTEN
Harm means ‘injury’ or ‘damage.’
- The car accident scared Ellie, but it did no bodily harm.
- Bob doesn't expect a raise in salary this year, but there is no harm in asking.
Harm also means ‘to do harm to.’
- The news story harmed the governor's chance at reelection.
- "Have another piece of cake. It won't harm you."
Common uses
no harm, no foul: a mistake has caused no damage. Example: “Oh no! I forgot to lock the door this morning.” “No harm, no foul. No one tried to get into the house.”
Related words
harmless: without the power to do harm. Example: “The big dog barks loudly when someone approaches, but don’t worry; he’s harmless.”
In pop culture
Watch Massive Attack in the video of their song, “Safe from Harm.”
There are other meanings of harm.
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