WordGarden.ioharm
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈɑːm/
US
- /ˈhɑrm/
Meanings
Noun
physical or mental injury suffered by a person or living thing
damage or a bad effect on something
Verb
to physically or mentally injure a person or living thing
to damage something or have a bad effect on it
Beyond the definition
To harm someone or something means to cause damage, pain, or trouble. As a noun, harm is that damage or suffering itself. You might harm a plant by giving it too much water, or a careless remark might cause harm to a friendship. The word is often used when the result is serious enough to matter, not just a small annoyance.
Think about common situations: a harsh winter can harm crops, a careless driver can harm a pedestrian, and even a well-meant action can cause harm if it is not thought through. That is also why people say "no harm done" when something could have gone badly but, in the end, caused no real damage.
The word "harm" can be a verb or a noun. As a verb, it means to cause damage, pain, injury, or suffering. As a noun, it means the damage or suffering that has been caused. It is a broad everyday word that can apply to people, animals, objects, relationships, reputations, finances, and the environment. You can say a storm harmed a town, harsh chemicals harmed the soil, or cruel words caused lasting harm.
Harm may be physical, emotional, social, or financial. A fall might harm your back. A lie might harm someone's good name. A new policy might harm small businesses. The word works in both direct and less visible situations, as long as there is real negative effect. That is why it is often stronger than words that suggest only a minor problem or inconvenience.
Harm is not always intentional. A child may harm a plant without meaning to. A doctor may choose a treatment that helps in one way but causes harm in another. At the same time, the word is also common when talking about deliberate actions, such as harming another person, harming wildlife, or doing harm to a community through neglect or abuse.
The word appears in many fixed and familiar phrases. "No harm done" means nothing bad happened in the end. "Do more harm than good" means an action makes a situation worse instead of better. "Harm reduction" refers to steps taken to lower the bad effects of risky behavior when stopping that behavior completely may not be realistic.
In law, ethics, medicine, and everyday life, "harm" is an important idea because it focuses on consequences. Whether the result is a broken bone, hurt feelings, damaged property, or a weaker sense of safety, the word points to a real loss or injury and reminds us that actions can leave lasting effects.
Examples
- 1
Health
Smoking can harm your lungs.
- 2
Sun exposure
Too much sun can harm your skin.
- 3
No intention
He never meant to harm anyone.
- 4
Emotional damage
A few cruel comments can do real harm to a child's confidence.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Worker protection
The new law is meant to protect workers from harm.
- Phrasefrom harm
from being hurt or damaged
- 6
Unhelpful advice
She wanted to help, but her advice did more harm than good.
- Phrasedo more harm than good
make a situation worse instead of better
- 7
Asking first
There's no harm in asking a few questions first.
- Patternthere's no harm in + -ing
it is okay and will not cause a problem
- 8
Apology
I was only joking. I meant no harm.
- Phrasemean no harm
not want to upset or hurt anyone
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- harmnounverb
Forms
- harmedpast tenseverbnoun
- harming-ing formverbnoun
- harmsverbnoun