venture

[ven-cher]

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.

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.

venture

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

• venturer noun
• preventure noun
• unventured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of venture¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of venture¹

C15: variant of aventure _adventure

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

   A successor was chosen at a venture.

see nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Synonym Study

See dare.

Example Sentences

Despite Tesla’s struggles, investors have remained optimistic that the company will regain its footing and eventually be bolstered by its self-driving robotaxi and humanoid robot ventures.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite his emphasis on artificial intelligence ventures, Tesla still relies heavily on its core car business, which has been under pressure on multiple fronts.

From BBC

Andy Williams, from the UCU, said it was not opposed to the venture in principle, but that it had serious concerns regarding staff workload and the speed with which it had been set up.

From BBC

Aside from his choice to seek retribution instead of venturing forgiveness, Robbie’s also decent.

From Salon

While promoting the book, Dame Jilly lavished alcohol and peerless quotes on any journalist that ventured to her home in Gloucestershire.

From BBC

Related Words

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