adventurous

American  

[ad-ven-cher-uhs] / ædˈvɛn tʃər əs /

adjective

1. inclined or willing to engage in adventures; enjoying adventures.

   Synonyms:

   venturesome, venturous, daring, bold

2. full of risk; requiring courage; hazardous.

   an adventurous undertaking.

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adventurous British  

/ ədˈvɛntʃərəs /

adjective

1. Also: adventuresome.  daring or enterprising

2. dangerous; involving risk

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Other Word Forms

• adventurously adverb
• adventurousness noun
• nonadventurous adjective
• nonadventurously adverb
• nonadventurousness noun
• unadventurous adjective
• unadventurously adverb
• unadventurousness noun

Etymology

Origin of adventurous

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French aventureus, aventureux; equivalent to adventure ( def. ) + -ous ( def. )

Example Sentences

Yes, it was an adventurous life, a picturesque life, that makes for a good narrative.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

The National Federation of Fish Friers says reductions in cod in the Barents Sea have left shortfalls in the supply chain, but hopes consumers will be adventurous and give other fish varieties a try.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

At one man's request, the agency devised a "Mission Impossible" production for an adventurous young woman: an iPad delivered in the morning launched a scavenger hunt across Paris by sidecar and by boat.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

There’s no reversing this trajectory, and most adventurous culinary enthusiasts wouldn’t want that.

From Salon • Jan. 30, 2026

A man can live a long and adventurous life without ever being spoken to by Lacey Pemberton, and when that rare opportunity does arise, one does not wish to misspeak.

From "Paper Towns" by John Green

Related Words

• adventuresome
• audacious
• bold
• courageous
• enterprising
• intrepid
• risky