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

On Friday, she sacked Roger Goodell, basically asking: “Hey Commissioner, ever hear of double-jeopardy?”

From The Daily Beast

I wish there were nothing for me to do but to take my Jeopardy!

From The Daily Beast

Even if you count the time I spent prepping for my original Jeopardy!

From The Daily Beast

In the semifinals, she was in a peculiar position for someone of Jeopardy!

From The Daily Beast

They banter with Alex Trebek and tell stories of life after Jeopardy!

From The Daily Beast

I am not fool enough to put my precious Naps in jeopardy, just when I am so deucedly in want of them, too.

From Project Gutenberg

How fervent their prayers for their companions in tribulation, when they themselves stood in jeopardy every hour!

From Project Gutenberg

In the former case man's most valued possession, his life, is in jeopardy, and his utmost powers are exerted for its preservation.

From Project Gutenberg

Um longed to return for her straw sandals, but this freedom of the night was already far too precious for jeopardy.

From Project Gutenberg

To try and compel them to pay was tantamount to placing liberty and even life in jeopardy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• peril