adventure

[ad-ven-cher]

noun

1. an exciting or very unusual experience.

2. participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises.

   the spirit of adventure.

3. a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome.

4. a commercial or financial speculation of any kind; venture.

5. Obsolete.

   1. peril; danger; risk.

   2. chance; fortune; luck.

verb (used with object)

adventured, adventuring 

1. to risk or hazard.

2. to take the chance of; dare.

3. to venture to say or utter.

   to adventure an opinion.

verb (used without object)

adventured, adventuring 

1. to take the risk involved.

2. to venture; hazard.

adventure

/ ədˈvɛntʃə /

noun

1. a risky undertaking of unknown outcome

2. an exciting or unexpected event or course of events

3. a hazardous financial operation; commercial speculation

4. obsolete

   1. danger or misadventure

   2. chance

verb

1. to take a risk or put at risk

2. to dare to go or enter (into a place, dangerous activity, etc)

3. to dare to say (something)

   he adventured his opinion

Other Word Forms

• adventureful adjective
• unadventuring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adventure¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English aventure, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Vulgar Latin adventūra (unrecorded) “what must happen,” feminine (originally neuter plural) of Latin adventūrus future participle of advenīre “to arrive”; ad- ad- replacing a- a- ⁵; advent, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of adventure¹

C13: aventure (later altered to adventure after the Latin spelling), via Old French ultimately from Latin advenīre to happen to (someone), arrive

Example Sentences

Full of great food, adventures, a wonderful family and more love than I ever dreamed possible.

From Salon

The seventh inning, however, quickly became an adventure, with two of the Dodgers’ most veteran relief arms putting themselves in a world of danger.

From Los Angeles Times

In fact, Carlyle is working on a new outing looking at the further adventures of the character, based on Irvine Welsh's book The Blade Artist.

From BBC

“It came quite late for us but it was something we’d longed for and a huge adventure,” Townshend said in a recent interview, featuring long, thoughtful and detailed recollections of those early days.

From Los Angeles Times

The sweet-and-savory notes of the ground beef, raisins and olives in the picadillo mingle with the fries, making each bite a little adventure.

From Salon

Related Words

• experience 
• exploit 
• feat 
• scene 
• trip