Innocuously: meaning, definitions and examples
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innocuously
[ ɪˈnɒk.ju.əs.li ]
manner of action
Innocuously means in a way that is not harmful or offensive. It describes actions or statements that do not cause injury or pain, either physically or emotionally. When something is done innocuously, it is often perceived as harmless or benign. For example, innocuous remarks are those that do not provoke anger or disagreement.
Synonyms
benign, harmless, innoffensive, safe.
Examples of usage
- She innocuously commented on the weather.
- The dog barked innocuously at the passerby.
- He made an innocuous joke that everyone laughed at.
- The criticism was delivered innocuously, ensuring no one was upset.
Translations
Translations of the word "innocuously" in other languages:
🇵🇹 inocentemente
🇮🇳 निर्दोषता से
🇩🇪 ungefährlich
🇮🇩 tanpa membahayakan
🇺🇦 безневинно
🇵🇱 niewinnie
🇯🇵 無害に
🇫🇷 innocemment
🇪🇸 inocentemente
🇹🇷 zararsız bir şekilde
🇰🇷 해롭지 않게
🇸🇦 بشكل غير ضار
🇨🇿 neškodně
🇸🇰 neškodným spôsobom
🇨🇳 无害地
🇸🇮 neškodljivo
🇮🇸 óhætt
🇰🇿 зиянсыз
🇬🇪 უვნებლად
🇦🇿 zərərsiz
🇲🇽 inocentemente
Etymology
The word 'innocuously' is derived from the Latin word 'innocuus' which means 'not harmful' or 'not hurtful'. The Latin root 'nocere' means 'to harm' or 'to hurt', and when combined with the prefix 'in-' which negates the base word, it creates the meaning of 'not causing harm'. The term evolved into the English language during the early 19th century as part of the broader movement of borrowing Latin terms that expressed nuanced ideas. Its use in the English language reflects a concern for politeness and the avoidance of offense in social interactions. By adopting such terms, speakers can communicate effectively without provoking negative reactions from others. The adverbial form, 'innocuously', showcases how the original meaning has maintained its relevance in contemporary discussions regarding language, expression, and sensitivity.