risk

[risk]

noun

1. exposure to the chance of injury or loss; a hazard or dangerous chance.

   It's not worth the risk.

   Synonyms: jeopardy, peril, venture

2. Insurance.

   1. the hazard or chance of loss.

   2. the degree of probability of such loss.

   3. the amount that the insurance company may lose.

   4. a person or thing with reference to the hazard involved in insuring him, her, or it.

   5. the type of loss, as life, fire, marine disaster, or earthquake, against which an insurance policy is drawn.

verb (used with object)

1. to expose to the chance of injury or loss; hazard.

   to risk one's life.

   Synonyms: jeopardize, endanger, imperil

2. to venture upon; take or run the chance of.

   to risk a fall in climbing;

   to risk a war.

   Synonyms: chance

risk

/ rɪsk /

noun

1. the possibility of incurring misfortune or loss; hazard

2. insurance

   1. chance of a loss or other event on which a claim may be filed

   2. the type of such an event, such as fire or theft

   3. the amount of the claim should such an event occur

   4. a person or thing considered with respect to the characteristics that may cause an insured event to occur

3. 1. vulnerable; likely to be lost or damaged

   2. social welfare vulnerable to personal damage, to the extent that a welfare agency might take protective responsibility

4. informal,  an expression of assent

5. to proceed in an action without regard to the possibility of danger involved in it

verb

1. to expose to danger or loss; hazard

2. to act in spite of the possibility of (injury or loss)

   to risk a fall in climbing

Other Word Forms

• risker noun
• riskless adjective
• unrisked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of risk¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from French risque, from Italian rischio, risco, of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of risk¹

C17: from French risque , from Italian risco , from rischiare to be in peril, from Greek rhiza cliff (from the hazards of sailing along rocky coasts)

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take / run a risk, to expose oneself to the chance of injury or loss; put oneself in danger; hazard; venture.

2. at risk,

   1. in a dangerous situation or status; in jeopardy.

      families at risk in the area of the weakened dam.

   2. under financial or legal obligation; held responsible.

      Are individual investors at risk for the debt part of the real estate venture?

More idioms and phrases containing risk

• at risk
• calculated risk
• run a risk

Example Sentences

Currently, for police to ban a march entirely, there needs to be a risk of serious public disorder.

From BBC

Norris has refused to name Stephen's other killers, saying that doing so would pose a risk to him and his family.

From BBC

The Care Inspectorate has ordered improvements to be made to services at Castlehill Care Home in Inverness, or risk having its registration cancelled.

From BBC

County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone pushed back on the notion that deer pose a fire hazard, telling the supervisor he believes the animals mitigate fire risks by eating vegetation.

From Los Angeles Times

Although the work they are doing presents certain risks due to exposure to unknown toxic materials, they said that the threat of encounters with ICE causes greater panic.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• danger 
• exposure 
• hazard 
• liability 
• opportunity 
• peril 
• possibility 
• prospect 
• uncertainty