venture

American  

[ven-cher] / ˈvɛn tʃər /

noun

1. an undertaking involving uncertainty as to the outcome, especially a risky or dangerous one.

   a mountain-climbing venture.

2. a business enterprise or speculation in which something is risked in the hope of profit; a commercial or other speculation.

   Their newest venture allows you to order their products online.

3. the money, ship, cargo, merchandise, or the like, on which risk is taken in a business enterprise or speculation.

4. Obsolete. hazard or risk.

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verb (used with object)

ventures, present (3rd person singular) ventured, past participle, past venturing present participle

1. to expose to hazard; risk.

   to venture one's fortune;

   to venture one's life.

   Synonyms:

   jeopardize, imperil, endanger

2. to take the risk of; brave the dangers of.

   to venture a voyage into space.

3. to undertake to express, as when opposition or resistance appears likely to follow; be bold enough; dare.

   I venture to say that you are behaving foolishly.

4. to take the risk of sending.

verb (used without object)

ventures, present (3rd person singular) ventured, past participle, past venturing present participle

1. to make or embark upon a venture; dare to enter or go.

   He ventured deep into the jungle.

2. to take a risk; dare; presume.

   to venture on an ambitious program of reform.

3. to invest venture capital.

adjective

1. of or relating to an investment or investments in new businesses.

   a venture fund.

idioms

1. at a venture, according to chance; at random.

   A successor was chosen at a venture.

venture British  

/ ˈvɛntʃə /

verb

1. (tr) to expose to danger; hazard

   he ventured his life

2. (tr) to brave the dangers of (something)

   I'll venture the seas

3. (tr) to dare (to do something)

   does he venture to object?

4. (tr; may take a clause as object) to express in spite of possible refutation or criticism

   I venture that he is not that honest

5. (intr; often foll by out, forth, etc) to embark on a possibly hazardous journey, undertaking, etc

   to venture forth upon the high seas

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noun

1. an undertaking that is risky or of uncertain outcome

2. 1. a commercial undertaking characterized by risk of loss as well as opportunity for profit

   2. the merchandise, money, or other property placed at risk in such an undertaking

3. something hazarded or risked in an adventure; stake

4. archaic chance or fortune

5. at random; by chance

venture More Idioms  

1. see nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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Synonym Usage

See dare.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preventure
  noun
• unventured
  adjective
• venturer
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has ventured
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have ventured
  perfect
• am venturing
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been venturing
  perfect progressive
• has been venturing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are venturing
  progressive
• ventures
  singular 3rd person
• venturing
  participle
• is venturing
  progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had ventured
  perfect
• was venturing
  progressive singular
• had been venturing
  perfect progressive
• were venturing
  progressive plural
• ventured
  simple
• ventured
  participle

Future

• will venture
  simple
• will have ventured
  perfect
• will have been venturing
  perfect progressive
• will be venturing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of venture

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, shortened from aventure adventure

Explanation

A venture is a risky undertaking. If your latest venture is a dog food store, you hope there are some hungry dogs around. Also, to venture is to go somewhere possibly dangerous, like if you venture out into a snowstorm. Venture is a shortened form of adventure. This happened sometime between 1100 CE and 1400 CE during the time that Middle English was spoken. While the two words are similar in meaning, when you subtract the ad, you lose a teaspoon or two of fun, and add a heaping tablespoon of risk.

Example Sentences

Ruth Foxe-Blader at US venture capital firm Citrine Venture Partners thinks the number and range of SpaceX's projects mean it has many selling points.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Venture capitalist Nelson has his own take on the moment.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Venture capitalist Jenny Stojkovic hired her son as a baby model for her media company shortly after he was born.

From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026

Venture capitalist John Doerr calls them tsunamis—and they come about every 13 years.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

“It is on the Sea Venture with Sir Thomas Gates,” he says.

From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone

Related Words

• deal
• endeavor
• enterprise
• experiment
• investment
• project
• undertaking