adventurer

American  

[ad-ven-cher-er] / ædˈvɛn tʃər ər /

noun

1. a person who has, enjoys, or seeks adventures.

2. a seeker of fortune in daring enterprises; soldier of fortune.

3. a person who undertakes great commercial risk; speculator.

4. a person who seeks power, wealth, or social rank by unscrupulous or questionable means.

   They thought John was an adventurer and after their daughter's money.

5. Usually Adventurer a member of Camp Fire, Inc., who is between the ages of 9 and 11.

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adventurer British  

/ ədˈvɛntʃərə /

noun

1. a person who seeks adventure, esp one who seeks success or money through daring exploits

2. a person who seeks money or power by unscrupulous means

3. a speculator

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Etymology

Origin of adventurer

First recorded in 1475–85; adventure + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The scheme was thought up by adventurer and financier William Paterson.

From The Wall Street Journal

Popular images, such as the fearless adventurer, powerful fighter and skilled seafarer, have become familiar.

From Science Daily

The roots are uncomfortably large, as if each tree is competing with one another to see who can trip the most blockheaded adventurers.

From Literature

“That’s right, Admiral. Whatever plot we might have cooked up never came to pass, so no harm done. Let’s part on peaceful terms. As one adventurer to another.”

From Literature

He was a true renaissance man—a best-selling author, an undersea adventurer, and a discoverer of long-lost ships.

From Literature

Related Words

• charlatan
• daredevil
• entrepreneur
• gambler
• mercenary
• swashbuckler
• traveler