INNOCUOUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does innocuous mean? 

• INNOCUOUS (adjective)
  The adjective INNOCUOUS has 3 senses:

1. not injurious to physical or mental health

2. not causing disapproval

3. lacking intent or capacity to injure

  Familiarity information: INNOCUOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INNOCUOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not injurious to physical or mental health

Similar:

innoxious (having no adverse effect)

Also:

harmless (not causing or capable of causing harm)

Antonym:

noxious (injurious to physical or mental health)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not causing disapproval

Synonyms:

innocuous; unobjectionable

Context example:

unobjectionable behavior

Similar:

inoffensive (giving no offense)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Lacking intent or capacity to injure

Synonyms:

innocent; innocuous

Context example:

an innocent prank

Similar:

harmless (not causing or capable of causing harm)

 Context examples 

In this case, something as innocuous as a horse can be a big problem.

(Belly up to the bamboo buffet: Pandas vs. horses, NSF)

Panic attacks can be induced in susceptible people by infusing them with a normally innocuous salt called sodium lactate.

(The Mechanism of Panic Attacks, NIH, US)