peril

American  

[per-uhl] / ˈpɛr əl /

noun

1. exposure to injury, loss, or destruction; grave risk; jeopardy; danger.

   They faced the peril of falling rocks.

2. something that causes or may cause injury, loss, or destruction.

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verb (used with object)

periled, periling, perilled, perilling

1. to expose to danger; imperil; risk.

peril British  

/ ˈpɛrɪl /

noun

1. exposure to risk or harm; danger or jeopardy

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Related Words

See danger.

Other Word Forms

• multiperil adjective
• perilless adjective

Etymology

Origin of peril

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin perīculum “danger, test, trial,” from perī-, verb base meaning “try” (also found in the compound experīrī “to try, test”; experience ) + -culum -cle ²

Example Sentences

PHOENIX—There are only two words any NFL fan needs to hear to remember the perils of a referee lockout: Fail Mary.

From The Wall Street Journal

Japan may not be considered a global footballing powerhouse - but underestimate them at your peril.

From BBC

How he overcame his only moment of real peril underlined the effectiveness of his serve.

From BBC

So there are grave perils ahead for the Fed.

From The Wall Street Journal

One minute we are raging against the perils of A.I., and the next, docilely accepting Gemini’s take on the best Caribbean vacation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• hazard
• insecurity
• jeopardy
• menace
• pitfall
• uncertainty
• vulnerability