Innocuous Meaning and Definition
Innocuous
Pronunciation
/ɪˈnɒkjuəs/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Having no tendency to harm or offend; harmless; innocently good.
Examples
- The new policy was designed to be innocuous and avoid any controversy.
- The company’s employee handbook was written in an innocuous tone to avoid offending anyone.
- The environmental group’s proposal was innocuous, aiming to promote sustainable practices.
- The joke was innocuous and didn’t offend anyone.
- The author’s writing style was innocuous, making the book accessible to a wide range of readers.
Synonyms
- Inoffensive
- Harmless
- Non-threatening
Antonyms
- Offensive
- Menacing
- Threatening
Etymology
The word “innocuous” comes from the Latin “innocuus,” meaning “harmless” or “innocent.”
Usage Notes
When using the word “innocuous,” consider the context and audience to ensure the term is not misinterpreted or misunderstood.
Cultural References
Bridget Jones’s Diary, by Helen Fielding, features a character who uses the word “innocuous” in a humorous context.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Lack of harm, but with potential for adverse effects
Related Words or Phrases
- Nonsensical
- Inoffensive
- Harmless
Collocations
- Innocuous remark
- Innocuous joke
- Innocuous policy
Frequency of Use
The word “innocuous” is used less frequently than “harmless” or “inoffensive” but is still a well-established term in English language.
Common Misspellings
- innocis
- innocuae
- innocuus