risk

[risk]

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.

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

risk

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

• risker noun
• riskless adjective
• unrisked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of risk¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of risk¹

C17: from French risque , from Italian risco , from rischiare to be in peril, from Greek rhiza cliff (from the hazards of sailing along rocky coasts)

Idioms and Phrases

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?

More idioms and phrases containing risk

• at risk
• calculated risk
• run a risk

Example Sentences

Trials are costly, and plaintiffs and defendants alike overwhelmingly prefer to eliminate the risk of an all-or-nothing jury verdict by agreeing on a compromise dollar figure.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As these asteroids pass by the Earth on their way toward the Sun, there is always the risk of them hitting the Earth or the Moon.

Read more on Space Scoop

Asset managers hope that will reassure employers interested in alternative investments yet concerned about lawsuits, although regulation cannot fully eliminate the risk of litigation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Why would you take that risk?” they asked.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Although there are likely many paths to Alzheimer's disease, cyanobacterial exposures increasingly appear to be a risk factor," adds Dr. Davis.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

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