innocuous

/ɪˈnɒkjuəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈnɑːkjuəs/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈnä-kyə-wəs/ (ame, mw)

innocuous — 形容詞

  • innocuouspositive
  • more innocuouscomparative
  • most innocuoussuperlative

1. not able to hurt people or damage things in any serious way, even if it first lo

1.形容詞C1
釋義

無害的

不會傷人或造成明顯損害

not able to hurt people or damage things in any serious way, even if it first looks risky.

例句

At first glance, the white powder looked innocuous on the kitchen shelf.

乍看之下，那包白色粉末擺在廚房架上似乎無害。

look innocuous

The doctor said the bump was innocuous and would fade in days.

醫師說那個腫塊是無害的，幾天內就會消退。

be innocuous after medical check

同義詞
  • harmless

    more everyday and slightly broader

  • benign

    more formal, especially for medical findings

  • safe

    broad general word, not limited to hidden risk

反義詞
  • harmful

    causing damage or bad effects

  • dangerous

    more general and stronger, with clear risk

文法句型

look/seem innocuous

innocuous + substance/object/animal

用法筆記

Often used when something seems suspicious at first but later proves safe. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about physical effects or damage, not about upsetting other people.

常見錯誤

❌This skin cream is innocent.
✅This skin cream is innocuous.
💡'innocent' usually describes people or their actions, not products or substances.

2. unlikely to annoy, shock, or upset people because it appears mild and socially a

2.形容詞C1
釋義

無傷大雅的

不致讓人不快或反感

unlikely to annoy, shock, or upset people because it appears mild and socially acceptable.

例句

Pedro thought his question was innocuous, but the room went quiet.

Pedro 原以為自己的問題只是無傷大雅，沒想到全場突然安靜下來。

innocuous + question

Renata's joke sounded innocuous to friends who did not know the history.

對不了解那段歷史的朋友來說，Renata 的笑話聽起來無傷大雅。

innocuous to + group

同義詞
  • inoffensive

    closest match; directly about not upsetting anyone

  • unobjectionable

    more formal and common in judgement or policy language

  • mild

    broader and less exact; can describe weak tone rather than social safety

反義詞
  • offensive

    likely to upset or insult people

  • provocative

    more deliberate; meant to stir reaction or argument

文法句型

innocuous + comment/question/topic

sound/seem innocuous

innocuous to + audience/person

用法筆記

Often used about remarks, questions, topics, or behaviour that seem mild on the surface. Distinguish from sense 1: here the issue is other people's feelings, not danger to the body or property.