Harmed

/hɑːrmd/

verbBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

To cause physical injury or damage to; to do wrong to.

/hɑːrmd/

verbnegativeBeginner
General

To inflict physical or emotional injury or damage upon someone or something.

The dog was accidentally harmed by the car.

💡 Simply: Imagine you accidentally step on your friend's foot. That's harming them! It means you're doing something that hurts or causes damage, whether it's physically or emotionally.

👶 For kids: To hurt someone or something.

More Examples

2

His careless words harmed her reputation.

3

The chemicals were found to have harmed the ecosystem.

How It's Used

Legal

"The defendant was found guilty of harming the victim."

Environmental

"Pollution harms the environment."

General

"He did not mean to harm her feelings."

Idioms & expressions

out of harm's way

In a safe place, where one cannot be injured or harmed.

"The children were put out of harm's way during the storm."

From Middle English *harmen*, from Old English *hearmian* 'to harm, injure,' from Proto-Germanic *harmaz* 'harm, injury'.

The word 'harm' has been used in English for centuries, with its basic meaning of causing injury remaining consistent throughout.

Memory tip

Think of a HARMonious relationship being broken, which CAUSES HARM.

harmeddharrmed

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written