adj
innocuous
ih-NOK-yoo-uhs
adj
1
Not harmful; unlikely to cause damage or upset.
"It seemed like an innocuous comment, but it started an argument."
"The chemical is innocuous in small amounts."
How to Use Innocuous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo mild or harmless that it barely registers.
Common mistake
Do not confuse with innocent; innocuous describes things (comments, substances), while innocent usually describes people or actions with no wrongdoing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
innocuous remark
seemingly innocuous
innocuous substance
Word Forms
more innocuous comparative, most innocuous superlative
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It seemed like an _____ comment, but it started an argument.
Etymology
From Latin innocuus, "harmless" — in- ("not") plus nocuus ("harmful").