harm
gb/hˈɑɹm/ us/hˈɑɹm/
B1
English
~ 6200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Physical or other damage or injury
Damage or injury that hurts a person, animal, thing, or situation.
Usage pattern:
to cause [harm] to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"a harm"* as a countable noun (e.g., *"It did a big harm"*). In most cases, "harm" is uncountable: say "It did a lot of harm" or "It caused serious harm." Learners may also confuse "harm" with "hurt"; "hurt" is usually a verb or adjective, while "harm" is more formal as a noun for general damage.
Synonyms
damage (A very close general synonym; often used for things and property, while "harm" is frequent for people, health, and the environment.)
Antonyms
benefit (Refers to something that makes a person or situation better, the opposite of causing harm.)
Collocations
cause harm
|do harm
|serious harm
|physical harm
|emotional harm
|risk of harm
Themes
health
|safety
|law
|daily life
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new law aims to reduce harm to the environment.
- Smoking can cause serious harm to your lungs.
- The chemical was banned because it may cause harm to children.
- We must protect older people from harm during heat waves.
- This medicine should ease the pain without doing any harm.
Learner examples
- The sun can do harm to your skin.
- Too much sugar can cause harm to your teeth.
- The teacher wants to keep the students from harm.
- This dog is friendly and will not do you any harm.
Verb
B1
action
2
To damage or injure someone or something
To hurt or damage a person, animal, thing, or situation.
Usage pattern:
to harm [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "harm" where native speakers prefer "hurt" for short, direct physical pain (e.g., *"I harmed my finger"*). In everyday speech, people usually say "I hurt my finger." "Harm" is more formal and common in general statements ("This can harm your health").
Synonyms
injure (Often used for physical damage to people; "harm" is slightly more formal and also covers non-physical damage, like to health or reputation.)
Antonyms
protect (Means to keep someone or something safe from harm or damage.)
Collocations
harm someone
|harm your health
|harm the environment
|harm wildlife
|harm your reputation
|seriously harm
Themes
health
|safety
|environment
|law
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Loud music can harm your hearing over time.
- The chemical leak has harmed local wildlife.
- They promised that the vaccine would not harm healthy adults.
- Online scams can seriously harm a company’s reputation.
- Second-hand smoke can harm children even if they do not smoke themselves.
Learner examples
- Smoking can harm your body.
- The loud noise may harm your ears.
- We must not harm animals for fun.
- Using this tool the wrong way can harm you.
Noun
B2
state
3
Intention or desire to hurt someone
A wish or plan to hurt or damage someone.
Usage pattern:
to mean [no/not any] harm
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse this "intention" sense with the more common "damage" sense. In phrases like "mean no harm" or "no harm in asking," "harm" refers to bad intention or wrong, not to physical injury.
Synonyms
malice (A stronger, more formal word that suggests a cold or cruel wish to hurt others; "harm" in this sense can be softer and more general.)
Antonyms
goodwill (Means a kind and friendly attitude or intention, the opposite of wishing to cause harm.)
Collocations
mean no harm
|without harm
|intended harm
|no real harm
|harm in doing something
Themes
emotions
|ethics
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I know you were joking; I’m sure you meant no harm.
- He insists that he had no harm in mind when he sent the message.
- She spoke sharply, but there was no real harm behind her words.
- They spread the story with clear harm in their hearts.
Learner examples
- He was angry, but he meant no harm.
- Her words sounded rude, but there was no harm in them.
- They did it with harm in their minds, not to help him.
Grammar
Dictionary form
harm
IPA
GB/hˈɑɹm/
US/hˈɑɹm/
Syllables & stress
harm (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (harm)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: harm
- Plural: harm
Verb
- Base: harm
- 3rd Person Singular: harms
- Present Participle: harming
- Past: harmed
Word family
Expressions
come to harm
1/kˈʌm tə hˈɑɹm/
fixed phrase
Be hurt or damaged
To be hurt, damaged, or put in danger.
Examples
- We’ll make sure the children do not come to harm on the trip.
- Nothing will come to harm as long as you follow the safety rules.
mean no harm
1/mˈin nˈoʊ hˈɑɹm/
fixed phrase
Not intend to cause hurt
To not want or plan to hurt or damage anyone.
Examples
- I’m sorry if I upset you; I really meant no harm.
- He may speak loudly, but he means no harm.
no harm done
1/nˈoʊ hˈɑɹm dˈʌn/
idiom
informal
No real damage or problem happened
Said when a mistake or problem did not really damage anything or anyone.
Examples
- You spilled some water, but it’s fine—no harm done.
- I was late with the report, but no harm done; the meeting was delayed anyway.
out of harm's way
1/ˈaʊt əv hˈɑɹmz wˈeɪ/
idiom
In a place safe from danger
In a place where you are safe and not likely to be hurt or damaged.
Examples
- Please keep the chemicals locked away and out of harm's way.
- The children were moved out of harm's way before the storm hit.
self-harm
1/sˈɛlf hˈɑɹm/
fixed phrase
Deliberately injuring yourself
The act of hurting your own body on purpose, often because of emotional distress.
Examples
- The charity offers support to young people who struggle with self-harm.
- Doctors are trained to look for signs of self-harm in teenagers.
there's no harm in doing something
1/ðˈɛɹz nˈoʊ hˈɑɹm ˈɪn dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Doing it is not bad or dangerous
Used to say that it is okay to do something because it is not dangerous, bad, or wrong.
Examples
- There's no harm in asking for a discount.
- There's no harm in trying again, even if you failed once.
bodily harm
1/bˈɑdəli hˈɑɹm/
fixed phrase
physical injury to a body
Physical injury to someone's body.
Examples
- The attacker was charged with causing bodily harm.
- The accident resulted in serious bodily harm to several passengers.
bodily harm
2/bˈɑdəli hˈɑɹm/
fixed phrase
technical
Physical injury to the body
Physical injury to a person’s body, often used in legal or medical language.
Examples
- The charge was reduced because no serious bodily harm was caused.
- Cyclists must wear helmets to reduce the risk of bodily harm.
do more harm than good
1/dˈu mˈɔɹ hˈɑɹm ðən ɡˈʊd/
idiom
Cause more damage than benefit
To have a bad result that is bigger than the good result of an action.
Examples
- If you try to fix it without training, you might do more harm than good.
- If you clean your ears with sharp objects, you may do more harm than good.
- Some medicines can do more harm than good if taken wrongly.
- Criticizing him now would do more harm than good.
- Some people think that strict dieting can do more harm than good.