jeopardy

[ jep-er-dee ]

noun

, plural jeop·ard·ies.

1. hazard or risk of or exposure to loss, harm, death, or injury:

   For a moment his life was in jeopardy.

   Antonyms: security

2. peril or danger:

   The spy was in constant jeopardy of being discovered.

   Antonyms: security

3. Law. the danger or hazard of being found guilty, and of consequent punishment, undergone by criminal defendants on trial.

jeopardy

/ ˈdʒɛpədɪ /

noun

1. danger of injury, loss, death, etc; risk; peril; hazard

   his health was in jeopardy

2. law danger of being convicted and punished for a criminal offence See also double jeopardy

Word History and Origins

Origin of jeopardy¹

1200–50; Middle English j ( e ) uparti, joupardi ( e ), j ( e ) upardi ( e ) < Anglo-French, Old French: literally, divided game or play, hence, uncertain chance, problem (in chess or love), equivalent to j ( e ) u play, game (< Latin jocus joke ) + parti, past participle of partir to divide; party

Word History and Origins

Origin of jeopardy¹

C14: from Old French jeu parti, literally: divided game, hence uncertain issue, from jeu game, from Latin jocus joke, game + partir to divide, from Latin partīrī

Synonym Study

See danger.

Example Sentences

President Xi’s dream of prosperity is in jeopardy.

From BBC

“Whether you like them or not, whether you want to defund them or not, you cannot put their lives in jeopardy,” McNicholas said.

From Los Angeles Times

"We’re all about sustainability and to achieve that what we really need is the position where we have sporting jeopardy without financial catastrophe."

From BBC

Boko believes the agreement has been in jeopardy because of how his predecessor handled negotiations over diamond sales.

From BBC

In his speech Sir Mark said the case had so affected officers they were “more concerned about legal jeopardy than they are about physical jeopardy”.

From BBC

Related Words

• peril