English Lexicon

Harmfulness

/ˈhɑːrm.fəl.nəs/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The quality or state of being harmful; the potential to cause damage or injury.

    "The harmfulness of smoking is well-documented in medical research."
  2. 2

    The degree to which something is detrimental or injurious.

    "The harmfulness of certain chemicals in the environment raises concerns among scientists."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'harmfulness' is derived from the adjective 'harmful', which comes from the Old English 'hearm' meaning 'harm' or 'injury'. The suffix '-ness' is used to form nouns indicating a state or condition, originating from the Proto-Germanic '*harmō' and the Old Norse 'harmr'. Over time, the term evolved to encapsulate the quality of causing harm.

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