harm
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.physical or emotional injury, or damage to something.
n.physical, emotional, or material injury or damage. Often used uncountably in general contexts.
Simple“The storm caused a lot of harm to the local crops.”
In context“The 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'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a bad result or a negative effect on a situation.
n.detriment or misfortune resulting from a specific action or policy.
Simple“There is no harm in asking for a second opinion.”
In context“While 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'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to hurt someone or to damage something.
v.to cause physical, emotional, or material injury to a person, animal, or object. Transitive verb requiring a direct object.
Simple“Pollution can harm the fish living in the river.”
In context“The report concluded that the new chemicals would not harm the environment if used according to the safety guidelines.”
Usage harm caused · harm our children · harming themselves