risk

American  

[risk] / rɪsk /

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.

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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

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?

risk British  

/ 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

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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

risk More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing risk

• at risk
• calculated risk
• run a risk

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Other Word Forms

• risker
  noun
• riskless
  adjective
• unrisked
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of risk

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

Explanation

A risk is an action that holds a chance of danger or failure. Although it's fun jump around on glaciers, the risk of falling down a crack into a freezing lake might deter you from ice climbing. Risk comes from the French for danger. As nouns, risk and danger are close synonyms. The verb risk means to run a danger, in hopes of reward. So risk is similar to gamble. If you're very ill, you might risk a dangerous surgery. We also use risk for money or security. You can risk your good health by working with infected patients without sterile equipment. Or you can risk your life savings on the stock market.

Example Sentences

Officials said on Sunday that the failing pressurized Orange County tank — filled with a toxic chemical and at risk of exploding — had reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the maximum reading on the gauge.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026

The investigation by ProPublica and the Tribune found that a 3-mile stretch of border wall Fisher built on the banks of the Rio Grande was at risk of collapsing if not fixed.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

With that promise, though, comes the risk that this could lead to a financial crisis, much like some past experiments with private money.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

The measures will apply to all new drivers, but are primarily aimed at those aged between 17 and 23, who are statistically at greater risk on the roads.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

But after seeing that Cocoon, the risk felt far away and unreal, like it belonged to someone else’s life and not my own.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

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