venture

American  

[ven-cher] / ˈvɛn tʃər /

noun

1. an undertaking involving uncertainty as to the outcome, especially a risky or dangerous one.

   a mountain-climbing venture.

2. a business enterprise or speculation in which something is risked in the hope of profit; a commercial or other speculation.

   Their newest venture allows you to order their products online.

3. the money, ship, cargo, merchandise, or the like, on which risk is taken in a business enterprise or speculation.

4. Obsolete. hazard or risk.

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verb (used with object)

ventured, venturing

1. to expose to hazard; risk.

   to venture one's fortune;

   to venture one's life.

   Synonyms:

   jeopardize, imperil, endanger

2. to take the risk of; brave the dangers of.

   to venture a voyage into space.

3. to undertake to express, as when opposition or resistance appears likely to follow; be bold enough; dare.

   I venture to say that you are behaving foolishly.

4. to take the risk of sending.

verb (used without object)

ventured, venturing

1. to make or embark upon a venture; dare to enter or go.

   He ventured deep into the jungle.

2. to take a risk; dare; presume.

   to venture on an ambitious program of reform.

3. to invest venture capital.

adjective

1. of or relating to an investment or investments in new businesses.

   a venture fund.

idioms

1. at a venture, according to chance; at random.

   A successor was chosen at a venture.

venture British  

/ ˈvɛntʃə /

verb

1. (tr) to expose to danger; hazard

   he ventured his life

2. (tr) to brave the dangers of (something)

   I'll venture the seas

3. (tr) to dare (to do something)

   does he venture to object?

4. (tr; may take a clause as object) to express in spite of possible refutation or criticism

   I venture that he is not that honest

5. (intr; often foll by out, forth, etc) to embark on a possibly hazardous journey, undertaking, etc

   to venture forth upon the high seas

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noun

1. an undertaking that is risky or of uncertain outcome

2. 1. a commercial undertaking characterized by risk of loss as well as opportunity for profit

   2. the merchandise, money, or other property placed at risk in such an undertaking

3. something hazarded or risked in an adventure; stake

4. archaic chance or fortune

5. at random; by chance

venture More Idioms  

1. see nothing ventured, nothing gained.

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Related Words

See dare.

Other Word Forms

• preventure noun
• unventured adjective
• venturer noun

Etymology

Origin of venture

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, shortened from aventure adventure

Explanation

A venture is a risky undertaking. If your latest venture is a dog food store, you hope there are some hungry dogs around. Also, to venture is to go somewhere possibly dangerous, like if you venture out into a snowstorm. Venture is a shortened form of adventure. This happened sometime between 1100 CE and 1400 CE during the time that Middle English was spoken. While the two words are similar in meaning, when you subtract the ad, you lose a teaspoon or two of fun, and add a heaping tablespoon of risk.

Example Sentences

He had already become the first to open an English stately home to the public, and this new venture took the securing of Longleat's financial future to a whole new level.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

He has referred to a potential tolling joint venture with Iran as a “beautiful thing” that could change global rules if it helps secure a long-term peace deal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Then, in January, Pakistan signed an agreement with an affiliate of World Liberty Financials, the cryptocurrency venture co-founded by Trump and his family, which will potentially integrate its stablecoin into the country's digital-payment system.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

The sheriff said that “99.9 times out of 10 on a civil notice it’s a pretty peaceful venture, but in this situation it was not.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

She also wanted to help me get started in my new venture.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall

Related Words

• deal
• endeavor
• enterprise
• experiment
• investment
• project
• undertaking