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; see party

Explanation

To be in jeopardy is to be in danger. Eating three plates of nachos a day may improve your chances of winning your office's nacho-eating contest; unfortunately, it could also put your health in jeopardy. Jeopardy is a state of being, so this word is almost always preceded by the preposition "in." The phrase "in jeopardy" is just one of several ways to convey that someone is in trouble. You can also try "at risk," "in danger," or — if you're into idioms — "on thin ice," "out on a limb," or "up the creek without a paddle."

Example Sentences

And Southwest Airlines was an answer on Jeopardy: “In 2026, this airline ended its longtime first come, first seated policy & is assigning 8C and 27A like all the other carriers.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

The Broome County Health Department director lost to Cleveland food sales representative Ian Taylor, coming in second after falling short by $1 in Final Jeopardy.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2024

Actress Emma Stone recently shared with Variety's Awards Circuit Podcast that she desperately wants to be a contestant on the non-celebrity edition of the game show, "Jeopardy!"

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2024

Jeopardy is in short supply as Formula 1 heads into the final race of a season, but what there is surrounds the fight between titans Mercedes and Ferrari over second place in the constructors' championship.

From BBC • Nov. 25, 2023

The contestants had to buzz in like they did on Jeopardy!

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• peril