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

AI is likely fueling some of that hiring, said Russell Hancock, president and chief executive of the Joint Venture Silicon Valley, a think tank.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Investment Strategy Wells Fargo Investment Institute External link April 27: Venture capital deal activity surged in the first quarter of 2026, reaching a record $267 billion after several years of relatively muted volumes.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen famously said in 2011 External link that software is eating the world.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

A new energy shock, caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure and damage to Qatar’s LNG facilities, positions Venture Global to profit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

On his desk, he kept a Bible, some folded paper crafts, and a television he had purchased with money he’d earned at Free Venture.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

Related Words

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