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harmfulcausing or likely to cause harm; damaging

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: causing or likely to cause harm; damaging

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhɑːrmfəl/

Example Sentences

  • My mom says video games are harmful, but I think vegetables are more harmful to my happiness.
  • The harmful chemicals in the factory were causing serious environmental problems.
  • Too much screen time can be harmful to your eyesight.

harmful

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈhɑːrmfəl/]

causing or likely to cause harm; damaging

Smoking can be harmful to both your health and the people around you.
💡 Concept

Smoking can be harmful to both your health and the people around you.

Scientists warned that harmful chemicals had entered the river.
🧠 Mnemonic

Scientists warned that harmful chemicals had entered the river.

Being careful and helpful can prevent harmful situations.
🎵 Rhyme

Being careful and helpful can prevent harmful situations.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈhɑːrmfəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈhɑːmfəl/

🌳Etymology

Rootharm
Suffix--ful

Origin

Harmful originated in Middle English during the 14th century, combining the noun harm (meaning injury or damage) with the suffix -ful (meaning full of or characterized by). The word developed to describe something that causes or is capable of causing harm or injury.

Breakdown

harm (injury, damage) + -ful (adjective suffix meaning full of or characterized by).

🎵Rhyme

armfulcharmful
armful
charmful

🔗Collocations

harmful effects
harmful substances
potentially harmful
harmful to health
environmentally harmful
harmful bacteria
harmful radiation

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My mom says video games are harmful, but I think vegetables are more harmful to my happiness.

The harmful chemicals in the factory were causing serious environmental problems.

Too much screen time can be harmful to your eyesight.

😄 Fun example

The doctor said my singing voice is harmful to small animals within a 5-mile radius.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

damagingdangeroustoxicdetrimentalinjurious

Antonyms

harmlessbeneficialsafe

Related

harmdamagedangerriskthreat

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