risk

[ risk ]

noun

1. exposure to the chance of injury or loss; a hazard or dangerous chance:

   It's not worth the risk.

   Synonyms: jeopardy, peril, venture

2. Insurance.
   1. the hazard or chance of loss.
   2. the degree of probability of such loss.
   3. the amount that the insurance company may lose.
   4. a person or thing with reference to the hazard involved in insuring him, her, or it.
   5. the type of loss, as life, fire, marine disaster, or earthquake, against which an insurance policy is drawn.

verb (used with object)

1. to expose to the chance of injury or loss; hazard:

   to risk one's life.

   Synonyms: jeopardize, endanger, imperil

2. to venture upon; take or run the chance of:

   to risk a fall in climbing;

   to risk a war.

   Synonyms: chance

risk

/ rɪsk /

noun

1. the possibility of incurring misfortune or loss; hazard
2. insurance
   1. chance of a loss or other event on which a claim may be filed
   2. the type of such an event, such as fire or theft
   3. the amount of the claim should such an event occur
   4. a person or thing considered with respect to the characteristics that may cause an insured event to occur
3. at risk
   1. vulnerable; likely to be lost or damaged
   2. social welfare vulnerable to personal damage, to the extent that a welfare agency might take protective responsibility
4. no risk informal.
   an expression of assent
5. take a risk or run a risk
   to proceed in an action without regard to the possibility of danger involved in it

verb

1. to expose to danger or loss; hazard
2. to act in spite of the possibility of (injury or loss)

   to risk a fall in climbing

Derived Forms

• ˈrisker, noun

Other Words From

• risker noun
• riskless adjective
• un·risked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of risk¹

First recorded in 1655–65; from French risque, from Italian rischio, risco, of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of risk¹

C17: from French risque , from Italian risco , from rischiare to be in peril, from Greek rhiza cliff (from the hazards of sailing along rocky coasts)

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at risk,
   1. in a dangerous situation or status; in jeopardy:

      families at risk in the area of the weakened dam.

   2. under financial or legal obligation; held responsible:

      Are individual investors at risk for the debt part of the real estate venture?

2. take / run a risk, to expose oneself to the chance of injury or loss; put oneself in danger; hazard; venture.

More idioms and phrases containing risk

In addition to the idiom beginning with risk , also see at risk ; calculated risk ; run a risk .

Example Sentences

Some of those hoping for a change in the law fear the health secretary’s interventions risk putting plenty of Labour MPs off backing it.

From BBC

“The UK has been regulating for risk, but not regulating for growth,” she will say.

From BBC

Mr Edwards has also learned that Waring could be free as early as April 2026 under the Home Detention Curfew scheme, although the MOJ said this would only happen subject to a risk assessment closer to the time.

From BBC

Sir David Behan, the OfS chairman, says a university going bust “isn’t imminent now”, but to reduce the risk higher education needs to be “radically reimagined”.

From BBC

As universities cut back there is a risk to the student experience - this year the largest annual study of undergraduates found only 36% in England thought their course was good or very good value for money.

From BBC

Related Words

• compromise
• defy
• endanger
• imperil
• jeopardize