peril

/ˈpɛrəl/

/ˈpɛrəl/

Other forms: perils; perilled; periled; perilling; periling

If you realize mid-climb that your rock climbing rope is frayed, you might be in peril. The word peril means imminent danger to life and limb.

Peril comes from the Latin peric(u)lum, meaning danger. Today it's often used in tandem with the word mortal, which relates to death. For example, you're in mortal peril when you're flying down a cliff-side trail on your mountain bike and you hit loose gravel. Peril can also describe dangers of a less physical sort, though it's less common. If your employer sinks your 401K into what turns out to be a Ponzi scheme, he's put your retirement in peril.

Definitions of peril

1. noun

   a state of danger involving risk
   synonyms: riskiness

   types:

   speculativeness

   financial risk

   type of:

   danger

   the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
2. noun

   a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
   synonyms: endangerment, hazard, jeopardy, risk

   types:

   health hazard

   hazard to the health of those exposed to it

   moral hazard

   (economics) the lack of any incentive to guard against a risk when you are protected against it (as by insurance)

   occupational hazard

   any condition of a job that can result in illness or injury

   sword of Damocles

   a constant and imminent peril

   biohazard

   hazard to humans or the environment resulting from biological agents or conditions

   type of:

   danger

   a cause of pain or injury or loss
3. noun

   a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury
   synonyms: danger, risk

   types:

   chance

   a risk involving danger

   crapshoot

   a risky and uncertain venture

   gamble

   a risky act or venture

   long shot

   a venture that involves great risk but promises great rewards

   raise

   increasing the size of a bet (as in poker)

   type of:

   venture

   any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
4. verb

   pose a threat to; present a danger to
   synonyms: endanger, imperil, jeopardise, jeopardize, menace, threaten

   type of:

   be, exist

   have an existence, be extant
5. verb

   put in a dangerous, disadvantageous, or difficult position
   synonyms: endanger, expose, queer, scupper

   types:

   compromise

   expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute

   type of:

   affect, bear on, bear upon, impact, touch, touch on

   have an effect upon