First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1harm
noun \ˈhärm\
: physical or mental damage or injury : something that causes someone or something to be hurt, broken, made less valuable or successful, etc.
Full Definition of HARM
1
: physical or mental damage : injury
See harm defined for English-language learners
See harm defined for kids
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Origin of HARM
Middle English, from Old English hearm; akin to Old High German harm injury, Old Church Slavic sramŭ shame
Related to HARM
- Synonyms
- affliction, damage, detriment, injury, hurt
2harm
verb
: to cause hurt, injury, or damage to (someone or something) : to cause harm to (someone or something)
Full Definition of HARM
transitive verb
: to cause harm to
— harm·er noun
See harm defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HARM
before 12th century
Related to HARM
Synonym Discussion of HARM
injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to affect injuriously. injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success <badly injured in an accident>. harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss <careful not to harm the animals>. hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings <hurt by their callous remarks>. damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness <a table damaged in shipping>. impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution <years of smoking had impaired his health>. mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement <the text is marred by many typos>.
HARM[2] Defined for Kids
1harm
noun \ˈhärm\
Definition of HARM for Kids
: physical or mental damage : injury <The storm did little harm to the sheltered beach.>
Synonym Discussion of HARM
harm, injury, and damage mean an act that causes loss or pain. harm can be used of anything that causes suffering or loss. <The frost did great harm to the crops.> injury is likely to be used of something that has as a result the loss of health or success. <She suffered an injury to the eyes.> damage stresses the idea of loss (as of value or fitness). <The fire caused much damage to the furniture.>
2harm
verb
harmedharm·ing
Definition of HARM for Kids
: to cause hurt, injury, or damage to <Too much sun can harm your skin.>
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