inoffensive

[ in-uh-fen-siv ]

/ ˌɪn əˈfɛn sɪv /

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See synonyms for: inoffensive / inoffensively / inoffensiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

causing no harm, trouble, or annoyance: a mild, inoffensive man.

not objectionable, as to the senses: an inoffensive odor.

OTHER WORDS FOR inoffensive

1 harmless, innocuous, unoffending.

See synonyms for inoffensive on Thesaurus.com

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of inoffensive

First recorded in 1590–1600; in-³ + offensive

OTHER WORDS FROM inoffensive

in·of·fen·sive·ly, adverbin·of·fen·sive·ness, noun

Words nearby inoffensive

inoculate, inoculation, inoculum, inodorous, in-off, inoffensive, inofficious, inofficious will, in omnia paratus, in one blow, in one breath

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use inoffensive in a sentence

He is as submissive as a truck, as inoffensive as a bulldozer, as gentle as a power-driven lawnmower.
Tarzan Wasn’t for Her - Issue 100: Outsiders|Erika Lorraine Milam|June 2, 2021|Nautilus
Not terrible, not brilliant, not good, but amiable, uneventful, inoffensive.
Yes, ‘Looking’ Is Boring. It’s the Drama Gays Deserve.|Tim Teeman|January 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was a short, inoffensive video message which simply stated “thanks for the follow!”
Snapchatting With Senator Rand Paul|Gideon Resnick|January 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Is the word Redskin somehow uniquely inoffensive among racial and ethnic slurs?
The ‘Tennessee Crackers’ Would Have Never Happened|Michael Tomasky|November 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In other words, most of these women were not bland, inoffensive “sweater gays”; they were RuPaul.
Media Ignores Rash of Assaults on Transgender Women|Jay Michaelson|June 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If you want your singers grateful, bland, and forever inoffensive, this is not the show for you.
Why 'X Factor' Trounces 'American Idol'|Richard Rushfield|December 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Their discipline is admirable, but their natural disposition is likewise quiet and inoffensive.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
The city hell hounds sprang to meet them and the slaughter of inoffensive Europeans began in Darya Gunj.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Margaret laughed outright and her laughter was so inoffensive and so musical that the Chief Inspector laughed also.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Mr. Bailey was a quiet, inoffensive man, very free with his money to everybody around.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
You should never venture on the most innocent and inoffensive joke, unless it be with people of culture or intelligence.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre|Jean de La Bruyre

British Dictionary definitions for inoffensive

inoffensive

/ (ˌɪnəˈfɛnsɪv) /

adjective

not giving offence; unobjectionable

not unpleasant, poisonous, or harmful

Derived forms of inoffensive

inoffensively, adverbinoffensiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

inoffensive

OTHER WORDS FOR inoffensive

Origin of inoffensive

OTHER WORDS FROM inoffensive

Words nearby inoffensive

Words related to inoffensive

How to use inoffensive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inoffensive

Derived forms of inoffensive