innocuous
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “innocuous” mean?
adjective.not harmful or offensive.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in contexts discussing safety, health, or social interactions, highlighting something that poses no threat or offense. It emphasizes a sense of benignity, contrasting with words like "malicious" or "toxic," which suggest harmful intent or effects.
Common Confusions
Innocuous implies something that is harmless or benign, while noxious usually suggests something that is toxic or harmful to health or well-being.
Do not choose innocuous if the context emphasizes danger or offense rather than being not harmful or offensive.
Example Sentences
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His comment seemed innocuous but was taken as an insult.
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The innocuous consequences were difficult to predict.
Word Parts: How to Remember “innocuous”
Break “innocuous” into its parts: in- (not) + -noc- (harm, hurt). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
in-not (Latin) -
Root:
-noc-harm, hurt (Latin)