risk

/rɪsk/

/rɪsk/

Other forms: risks; risked; risking

A risk is an action that holds a chance of danger or failure. Although it's fun jump around on glaciers, the risk of falling down a crack into a freezing lake might deter you from ice climbing.

Risk comes from the French for danger. As nouns, risk and danger are close synonyms. The verb risk means to run a danger, in hopes of reward. So risk is similar to gamble. If you're very ill, you might risk a dangerous surgery. We also use risk for money or security. You can risk your good health by working with infected patients without sterile equipment. Or you can risk your life savings on the stock market.

Definitions of risk

1. noun

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

   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
2. noun

   a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury
   “he saw the rewards but not the risks of crime”

   synonyms: danger, peril

   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
3. noun

   the probability of becoming infected given that exposure to an infectious agent has occurred
   synonyms: risk of infection

   type of:

   chance, probability

   a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
4. noun

   the probability of being exposed to an infectious agent
   synonyms: risk of exposure

   type of:

   chance, probability

   a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
5. verb

   expose to a chance of loss or damage
   “We risked losing a lot of money in this venture”

   “Why risk your life?”

   synonyms: lay on the line, put on the line

   types:

   adventure, hazard, jeopardize, stake, venture

   put at risk

   bell the cat

   take a risk; perform a daring act

   type of:

   assay, attempt, essay, seek, try

   make an effort or attempt
6. verb

   take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
   synonyms: adventure, chance, gamble, hazard, run a risk, take a chance, take chances

   types:

   go for broke

   risk everything in one big effort

   luck it, luck through

   act by relying on one's luck

   type of:

   assay, attempt, essay, seek, try

   make an effort or attempt