inoffensive
/ˌɪnəˈfensɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnəˈfensɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-ə-ˈfen(t)-siv/ (ame, mw)
inoffensive — adjective
- inoffensivepositive
- more inoffensivecomparative
- most inoffensivesuperlative
1. not causing anger, annoyance, or discomfort; mild or neutral, and avoiding topic
not causing anger, annoyance, or discomfort; mild or neutral, and avoiding topics or qualities that might upset others.
Qing chose an inoffensive topic — the weather — so that no one at dinner would feel upset.
attributive use: inoffensive + noun (topic)
The landscape painting in the hospital lobby was pleasant but inoffensive — nothing to shock anyone.
At the meeting, Pablo told an inoffensive joke that got a laugh without offending anyone.
The waiting room was painted an inoffensive shade of beige that no one could find unpleasant.
Minh's inoffensive comments kept the discussion calm and avoided any angry reactions.
- harmless
stronger focus on safety/danger rather than offence; 'inoffensive' is about feelings while 'harmless' can also mean physically safe
- innocuous
more formal, emphasises that something is unlikely to cause any reaction at all — slightly narrower than inoffensive
- unobjectionable
formal and more passive — simply means nobody has a reason to oppose it; less common in everyday use
- mild
overlaps in describing tastes, colours, or criticism, but 'mild' can also mean 'not strong' physically (e.g. mild cheese), which 'inoffensive' does not
- offensive
direct opposite; causes anger or upset
- objectionable
stronger disapproval, suggests active rejection rather than mere discomfort
- provocative
intended to cause a reaction, often deliberately so
文法句型
be inoffensive
inoffensive + noun
用法筆記
Often used in descriptions of decor, colours, smells, jokes, and conversation topics. Less common than the antonym offensive; learners may encounter it more in writing than in everyday speech.