innocuous
pronunciation
How to pronounce innocuous in British English:
UK [ɪˈnɒkjuəs]
How to pronounce innocuous in American English:
US [ɪˈnɑkjuəs]
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- Adjective:
- not injurious to physical or mental health
- unlikely to harm or disturb anyone
- not causing disapproval
- lacking intent or capacity to injure
Word Origin
- innocuous (adj.)
- 1590s, from Latin innocuus "harmless," from in- "not" (see in- (1)) + nocuus "hurtful," from root of nocere "to injure, harm," from *nok-s-, suffixed form of PIE root *nek- (1) "death" (see necro-). Related: Innocuously; innocuousness.
Example
- 1. Jeon says pro-pyongyang material needs to be restricted because it is not as innocuous .
- 2. According to this interpretation , mirror therapy works by replacing noxious memories with innocuous ones .
- 3. Some showed people carrying guns , others bearing innocuous things , such as cola bottles or a coffee thermos .
- 4. Sometimes it overreacts to what should be a perfectly innocuous food or other substance , causing an allergic reaction .
- 5. Most immunologists consider allergies to be misdirected immune reactions to innocuous substances such as pollen or peanuts .