INOFFENSIVE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does inoffensive mean? 

• INOFFENSIVE (adjective)
  The adjective INOFFENSIVE has 2 senses:

1. not causing anger or annoyance

2. giving no offense

  Familiarity information: INOFFENSIVE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INOFFENSIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not causing anger or annoyance

Synonyms:

inoffensive; unoffending

Context example:

inoffensive behavior

Similar:

offenceless; offenseless (incapable of offending or attacking)

Attribute:

distastefulness; odiousness; offensiveness (the quality of being offensive)

Antonym:

offensive (causing anger or annoyance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Giving no offense

Context example:

a refreshing inoffensive stimulant

Similar:

innocuous; unobjectionable (not causing disapproval)

Attribute:

distastefulness; odiousness; offensiveness (the quality of being offensive)

Antonym:

offensive (unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses)

 Context examples 

His habits were regular, his conduct inoffensive.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Again the inoffensive one plunging desperately, was elevated high into the air.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Inoffensive ranchers in remote valleys were held up by armed men and compelled to identify themselves.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Horner and Smoke had been displaying a gallantry toward Maud Brewster, ludicrous in itself and inoffensive to her, but to him evidently distasteful.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

By nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his presentation at St. James's had made him courteous.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

So terrible was his appearance that Spitz was forced to forego disciplining him; but to cover his own discomfiture he turned upon the inoffensive and wailing Billee and drove him to the confines of the camp.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

A voice, Here he is, sir! and an inoffensive little person in spectacles, struggling violently, was held up among a group of students.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I’ll admit I don’t like defeat any more than you do, or any more than I like the idea of killing such pretty, inoffensive creatures.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It is true that these monstrous creatures which we had seen were lumbering, inoffensive brutes which were unlikely to hurt anyone, but in this world of wonders what other survivals might there not be—what fierce, active horrors ready to pounce upon us from their lair among the rocks or brushwood?

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)