/ hɑːm; NAmE hɑːrm/ noun , verb
■ noun
[ U ] damage or injury that is caused by a person or an event :
He would never frighten anyone or cause them any harm .
He may look fierce, but he means no harm .
The court case will do serious harm to my business.
The accident could have been much worse; luckily no harm was done .
Don't worry, we'll see that the children come to no harm .
I can't say I like Mark very much, but I don't wish him any harm .
Hard work never did anyone any harm .
Look, we're just going out for a few drinks, where's the harm in that ?
The treatment they gave him did him more harm than good .
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IDIOMS
- it wouldn't do sb any harm (to do sth)
- no harm done
- out of harm's way
- there is no harm in (sb's) doing sth | it does no harm (for sb) to do sth
■ verb
[ vn ] to hurt or injure sb or to damage sth :
He would never harm anyone.
Pollution can harm marine life.
These revelations will harm her chances of winning the election.
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IDIOMS
see fly noun , hair ➡ note at damage
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English hearm (noun), hearmian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to German Harm and Old Norse harmr grief, sorrow.