Meaning of inoffensive in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˌɪnəˈfɛnsɪv/

   US accent

   How to pronounce inoffensive in American English, in context ▾
   Use the controls below to browse different examples of pronunciation.

   UK accent

   How to pronounce inoffensive in British English, in context ▾
   Use the controls below to browse different examples of pronunciation.

1. Classifying Adjective

   inoffensive

   Definitions

   1. not offensive

   Examples

   • « an inoffensive level »

   Synonyms

   • innocuous
   • harmless
2. 2. causing no harm

   Examples

   • « an inoffensive animal »

   Synonyms

   • harmless

3. Qualitative Adjective

   inoffensive

   Definitions

   1. not causing anger or annoyance

   Examples

   • « inoffensive behavior »

   Synonyms

   • offenseless
   • offenceless

   Antonyms

   • offensive
4. 2. morally respectable or inoffensive

   Examples

   • « a past that was scarcely savory »

   Antonyms

   • unsavory
   • unsavoury
   • offensive
5. 3. giving no offense

   Examples

   • « a quiet inoffensive man »
   • « a refreshing inoffensive stimulant »

   Synonyms

   • innocuous
   • unobjectionable

   Antonyms

   • offensive
6. 4. of an inoffensive substitute for offensive terminology

   Examples

   • « 'peepee' is a common euphemistic term »

   Antonyms

   • dysphemistic
   • offensive