Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

baneful

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.53 in modern English

Syllables: bane-ful
IPA

12

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Poisonous, deadly.

Archaic

adj

Harmful, injurious.

Example Sentences

"[S]ome fell ſerpent in his cave expects / The traveller's approach, batten'd vvith herbs / Of baneful juice to fury, forth he looks / Hideous, and lies coil'd all around his den."
"This contempt of the understanding in early life has more baneful consequences than is commonly supposed […]"
"In this way writers and others seeking a monopoly for their views accepted and encouraged the baneful principle that it was for the party and state authorities to permit or prohibit this or that form of art."

Etymology

From bane + -ful.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: bane

Usage

Archaic

Inflected Forms

more baneful (comparative) most baneful (superlative)

Frequently Paired Words

bane banefully banefulness baleful

Synonyms

fatal mortal baleful deadly pernicious pestilent

Antonyms

helpful productive

Questions

What does baneful mean?: Poisonous, deadly.
Where does baneful come from?: From bane + -ful.

How to pronounce baneful

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “baneful”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “baneful”.
Repeat and practice — Say “baneful” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.