jeopardy

American  

[jep-er-dee] / ˈdʒɛp ər di /

noun

plural

jeopardies

1. hazard or risk of or exposure to loss, harm, death, or injury.

   For a moment his life was in jeopardy.

   Antonyms:

   security

2. peril or danger.

   The spy was in constant jeopardy of being discovered.

   Antonyms:

   security

3. Law. the danger or hazard of being found guilty, and of consequent punishment, undergone by criminal defendants on trial.

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jeopardy British  

/ ˈdʒɛpədɪ /

noun

1. danger of injury, loss, death, etc; risk; peril; hazard

   his health was in jeopardy

2. law danger of being convicted and punished for a criminal offence See also double jeopardy

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Related Words

See danger.

Etymology

Origin of jeopardy

1200–50; Middle English j ( e ) uparti, joupardi ( e ), j ( e ) upardi ( e ) < Anglo-French, Old French: literally, divided game or play, hence, uncertain chance, problem (in chess or love), equivalent to j ( e ) u play, game (< Latin jocus joke ) + parti, past participle of partir to divide; party

Example Sentences

“Fortunately nobody was in jeopardy inside because of the quick action that was taken by the deputies and the Secret Service,” Bradshaw said.

From The Wall Street Journal

My sense is that the Palace unquestionably gets the mood and understands the jeopardy.

From BBC

All three were in jeopardy before the fire, and more so after, with thousands of lots vacant and local businesses on life support.

From Los Angeles Times

Team GB's Winter Olympics curling medal hopes are now in serious jeopardy after Bruce Mouat's world champions were beaten 9-5 by Canada in Cortina.

From BBC

When they're confident and there's no jeopardy, I was thinking 'thank god I'm not on that field'.

From BBC

Related Words

• peril