To understand the meanings of words correctly, it is essential to consider their context. The word "mean" can refer to being unkind or malicious, but it can also indicate an average value in mathematics. For example, "She can be mean when she's in a bad mood" vs. "Calculate the mean average of the numbers given."
"Allow" signifies giving permission or granting access to something. An example would be, "Please allow me to enter the building" or "Does the school allow students to bring pets?"
A "rumour" is a piece of information that may or may not be true, often spread by word of mouth. For instance, "There is a rumour going around that the company is going to have layoffs" or "Ignore the rumours and focus on the facts."
"Hurtful" describes something that causes emotional pain or distress. Consider the sentences, "His comments were hurtful to her feelings" or "It's important not to say hurtful things to others."
On the other hand, "harmless" implies something that is not able to cause harm or danger. You could say, "The harmless prank was meant as a joke" or "Although it may look intimidating, the spider is harmless."