harm
n. · v.-
1 injury or damage (n.) B1 Intermediatephysical or emotional injury, or damage to something.
physical, emotional, or material injury or damage. Often used uncountably in general contexts.
ExampleThe storm caused a lot of harm to the local crops.
ExampleThe legal team argued that the defendant's actions caused significant financial harm to the small business owners in the district.
UsageCommonly used in the phrases 'do harm' or 'come to harm'.
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2 bad effect (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea bad result or a negative effect on a situation.
detriment or misfortune resulting from a specific action or policy.
ExampleThere is no harm in asking for a second opinion.
ExampleWhile the policy was well-intentioned, the long-term harm to the ecosystem was only discovered years later.
UsageOften appears in the idiomatic construction 'there is no harm in doing something'.
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3 to hurt or damage (v.) B1 Intermediateto hurt someone or to damage something.
to cause physical, emotional, or material injury to a person, animal, or object. Transitive verb requiring a direct object.
ExamplePollution can harm the fish living in the river.
ExampleThe report concluded that the new chemicals would not harm the environment if used according to the safety guidelines.