Question:

Identify the correctly spelt word from the options given below:

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To master spelling words like "innocuous", break them down by their Latin roots: "in-" (not) + "nocere" (harm) + adjective suffix "-ous".
Be mindful of words that feature double consonants; "innocuous" has a double 'n' but a single 'c'.
Updated On: May 25, 2026
  • Innocuos
  • Innoccuous
  • Innocuous
  • Innocous
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation


Step 1: Understanding the Question:

This spelling-based question asks us to identify the standard, correct spelling of a specific vocabulary word meaning harmless or safe.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

  • Definition and Use: The word "innocuous" is an adjective used to describe something that is not harmful, offensive, or injurious. For example, "The medicine was completely innocuous, having no side effects."
  • Etymological Roots: It comes from the classical Latin "innocuus", formed by combining the prefix "in-" (meaning "not") and the root adjective "nocuus" (meaning "harmful", derived from the verb "nocere", which means "to hurt").
  • Analyzing Option (A) - Innocuos: This spelling incorrectly omits the letter 'u' before the ending letter 'o', which disrupts the correct standard pronunciation and orthography.
  • Analyzing Option (B) - Innoccuous: This spelling introduces an incorrect double 'c'. While the word has a double 'n' near the beginning, it only contains a single 'c' before the suffix.
  • Analyzing Option (C) - Innocuous: This is the perfectly correct orthographic form, maintaining the double 'n', single 'c', and the correct "-uous" suffix.
  • Analyzing Option (D) - Innocous: This spelling is severely misspelled, missing both the double 'n' structure and the correct vowel configuration in the suffix.


Step 3: Final Answer:

Therefore, the only correctly spelled option representing the standard English dictionary form of the word is option (C).
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