harm
hahm
Harm (noun) means Physical injury or damage. Example: “The accident left him with no lasting harm.”
noun
1
Physical injury or damage.
"The accident left him with no lasting harm."
"The chemicals can cause harm if inhaled."
"Wearing a helmet protects cyclists from serious harm in a fall."
2
Emotional or figurative hurt; detriment.
"The rumours did real harm to her reputation."
"Constant criticism can do deep harm to a child's confidence."
"Telling that story will only cause harm to your friendship."
verb
1
To injure, damage, or hurt someone or something.
"The new policy could harm small businesses."
"She would never harm an animal."
"Loud music for hours can harm your hearing over time."
How to use harm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDamage or injury, whether physical, emotional, or to something abstract like a reputation.
Common pairings
do harm
cause harm
harm's way
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like harm.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- harms
- Third person singular
- harms
- Past tense
- harmed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The accident left him with no lasting _____.
Etymology
From Old English hearm, meaning harm, shame, or pain, tracing back to a shared Germanic root.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for harm
See all rhymes for harm →Frequently asked questions
What does “harm” mean?
The word “harm” means physical injury or damage. In plain terms, damage or injury, whether physical, emotional, or to something abstract like a reputation.
How do you pronounce “harm”?
“Harm” is pronounced hahm (/hɑɹm/ in IPA).
How do you use “harm” in a sentence?
Here is “harm” used in a sentence: “The accident left him with no lasting harm.”
What is the opposite of “harm”?
The opposite of “harm” — its antonyms — are heal and repair.
What part of speech is “harm”?
Depending on how it is used, “harm” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “harm” come from?
The word “harm” comes from Old English. From Old English hearm, meaning harm, shame, or pain, tracing back to a shared Germanic root.
Is “harm” a common word?
“Harm” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “harm” have?
“Harm” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: physical injury or damage.
What is the difference between harm and damage?
Harm and damage overlap, but harm is most often used for injury to living things, including physical hurt and, more broadly, emotional or moral injury. Damage usually applies to objects, property, or systems, as in 'storm damage.' You harm a person; you damage a car.
What is an example of harm?
Harm means injury or damage, usually to a person or living thing. Examples include 'the fall caused no lasting harm,' 'these chemicals can harm your skin,' or a label warning that a product may 'cause harm if swallowed.' It covers physical hurt and, more widely, any serious ill effect.
What is the opposite of harm?
The opposite of harm is benefit, help, or good. Where harm causes injury or damage, its opposites improve or protect. The familiar phrase 'do no harm' captures the contrast, expressing a duty to help, or at least to avoid injury, rather than making a situation worse.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include harm:
