WordGarden.ioharmful
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈɑːmfəl/
US
- /ˈhɑrmfəl/
Meanings
Adjective
causing or likely to cause damage or injury
Beyond the definition
Something harmful causes injury, pain, or damage, whether physical, emotional, or environmental. You might describe toxic fumes as harmful because they damage the lungs, or a cruel lie as harmful because it hurts someone's feelings.
Think of it like this: if something can lead to a bad result, it is likely harmful. A harmful habit, like smoking, slowly damages your health, while harmful chemicals pollute our water and air. Even small actions can be harmful if the consequences are not carefully considered. The word often carries a sense of risk; it suggests that something could cause damage and should be avoided or handled with care.
The word "harmful" describes anything capable of causing damage, injury, or adverse consequences. Its reach is broad, encompassing not only physical threats but also emotional, psychological, and environmental ones. For instance, a harmful rumor can destroy a hard-earned reputation, just as harmful industrial runoff can devastate a local ecosystem.
One key aspect of "harmful" is that the effects are not always immediate or obvious. Often, the damage is gradual or cumulative. A harmful diet might not cause illness today, but it can lead to chronic health issues over time. Similarly, a harmful policy might seem benign at first, only to reveal its negative impact on a community years later.
In many contexts, "harmful" implies a level of risk or negligence—the idea that something could or should have been prevented. A carelessly discarded cigarette is harmful because of its potential to spark a fire; a deliberately misleading advertisement is harmful because it deceives and exploits consumers.
You will encounter "harmful" across various fields: health (harmful bacteria), the environment (harmful emissions), relationships (harmful behavior), and even technology (harmful online content). It is a word that signals potential danger and the need for caution. Ultimately, if something possesses the power to cause detriment—whether big or small, immediate or delayed—it is correctly labeled as harmful.
Examples
- 1
Health
Smoking is harmful to your health.
- Patternharmful to + person/thing
bad for that person or thing
- 2
Air pollution
Scientists are still studying the harmful effects of air pollution.
- 3
Dosage
Some medicines are helpful in small amounts but harmful if you take too much.
- 4
Wildlife
The new factory could be harmful to fish and other wildlife in the river.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Child confidence
Constant criticism can be harmful to a child's confidence.
- 6
Online information
False information online can be harmful, especially during an emergency.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- harmfuladjective