innocuous

UK /ɪˈnɒkjuəs/ US /ɪˈnɑkjuəs/

adj 2

Collocations

(adj.)

VERBS

appear, be, look, seem

ADV

perfectly, totally, wholly

The old painting looked totally innocuous, but it was actually worth a fortune.

fairly, pretty, quite, relatively

The new policy seemed relatively innocuous at first, but it caused unexpected problems later.

enough

While the joke seemed innocuous enough at first, it actually hurt her feelings deeply.

apparently, seemingly

Definitions

adj

Harmless; producing no ill effect.

With its green cupola or tapering spire, / Which sunset touches with innocuous fire, / The little church appears, to sanctify / The precincts duly where men live and die— [...]

The shells fell for the most part innocuous; an eyewitness saw children at play beside the flaming houses; not a soul was injured.

Inoffensive; unprovocative; unexceptionable.

Ruth Devlin announced that the song must wait, though it appeared to be innocuous and child-like in its sentiments.

He sat down, and lighted a cigarette, casting about the while for an innocuous topic of conversation.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

adjective — lacking intent or capacity to injure

innocent

adjective — not causing disapproval

unobjectionable

Antonyms

noxious

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

With its green cupola or tapering spire, / Which sunset touches with innocuous fire, / The little church appears, to sanctify / The precincts duly where men live and die— [...]

Wiktionary

The shells fell for the most part innocuous; an eyewitness saw children at play beside the flaming houses; not a soul was injured.

Wiktionary

Other things, too, there were, not less deadly though seemingly innocuous—dried fungi, the touch of which was death and whose poison was carried on in the air; also traps intended for birds, beast, fi

Wiktionary

You may think your comment was innocuous, but I found it very offensive.

Tatoeba · #3595678

Her innocuous statement was actually a veiled insult.

Tatoeba · #9118153

Their wording was innocuous, but not entirely innocent.

Tatoeba · #9118158

Usage Notes

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