adjective
harmful
Causing or likely to cause damage or injury.
Breathing this dust is harmful to your lungs over time.
Etymology
The adjective ending describes what produces harm. It covers something that already causes damage and something whose likely effects would be injurious.
More examples
- Keep harmful chemicals out of children's reach.
- The treatment can have harmful side effects.
- Spreading false rumors is harmful to someone's reputation.
Forms
harmful · more harmful · most harmful
harm noun — Damage or injury to someone or something.