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Synonyms

venturesome

American  
[ven-cher-suhm] / ˈvɛn tʃər səm /

adjective

  1. having or showing a disposition to undertake risky or dangerous activities; daring.

    a venturesome investor; a venturesome explorer.

    Synonyms:
    rash, enterprising
    Antonyms:
    cautious
  2. attended with risk; hazardous.

    Auto racing is a venturesome sport.

    Synonyms:
    unsafe, perilous, risky

venturesome British  
/ ˈvɛntʃərəs, ˈvɛntʃəsəm /

adjective

  1. willing to take risks; daring

  2. hazardous

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of venturesome

First recorded in 1655–65; venture + -some 1

Explanation

The adjective venturesome describes someone who is willing to take risks, someone brave. If you have a venturesome child, you may worry because she's the one you find on top of the playhouse instead of inside it. The root word of venturesome is venture, and venture is short for aventure, which is a form of adventure, which we understand to be an interesting or exciting experience. Some people are more venturesome than others. You may thrive on mountain climbing or going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, or your idea of adventure may be occasionally trying a strawberry jelly with your peanut butter instead of grape.

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Vocabulary lists containing venturesome

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Real entrepreneurship serving venturesome consumers, External link not frictionless stock trading in well-regulated casinos, keeps the U.S. economy vibrant.

From Barron's Jan. 2, 2026

Disney then became the place where Gustavo Dudamel could grow into the venturesome conductor he has become.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 5, 2025

Even for this venturesome music director, these two weeks are unlike any other he has had at the Bowl, unlike any two weeks he or anyone would dare anywhere else.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 10, 2024

Mo Willems, whose books about a kvetching pigeon and a venturesome stuffed bunny made him a star of children’s literature, has focused his powers of silliness onto a sometimes stuffy medium: opera.

From New York Times May 5, 2023

After Eratosthenes’ discovery, many great voyages were attempted by brave and venturesome sailors.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

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