What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
harmful
Example
Smoking is harmful to your health. [harmful: adjective]
Example
The chemicals in the cleaning product can be harmful if ingested. [harmful: adjective]
dangerous
Example
Swimming in the ocean during a storm is dangerous. [dangerous: adjective]
Example
The sharp edges of the broken glass are dangerous. [dangerous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dangerous is more commonly used than harmful in everyday language. Dangerous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while harmful is less common and is often used in specific contexts such as health or environmental issues.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between harmful and dangerous?
Both harmful and dangerous can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, harmful may be considered more technical or scientific, while dangerous is more commonly used in everyday language.
