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

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venturesome British  

/ ˈvɛntʃərəs, ˈvɛntʃəsəm /

adjective

1. willing to take risks; daring

2. hazardous

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Other Word Forms

• overventuresome adjective
• unventuresome adjective
• venturesomely adverb
• venturesomeness noun

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.

Example Sentences

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

Troubling as it may be that L.A. itself is not hosting Khan’s London-based company, the venturesome UC Santa Barbara Arts and Lectures series is for a single night.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 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

Gentle and genial, with a deep knowledge of operas and voices, he has tried to balance his venturesome spirit with the sensibilities of audiences — to challenge without alienating the people he needed for support.

From New York Times • Apr. 12, 2024

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

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan