Definition

1. Noun:

   • The possibility of something bad or unpleasant happening: "Risk" refers to the chance or probability of loss, injury, danger, or other negative consequences.
   • A situation involving exposure to danger: "Risk" can also mean a specific source of potential harm or a dangerous possibility.
   • A person or thing regarded as likely to cause a problem: In some contexts, "risk" refers to someone or something that is a source of danger.

2. Verb:

   • To expose someone or something to danger, harm, or loss: This means to put something valuable or important in a situation where it could be damaged or lost.
   • To act in such a way that something bad could happen: This means to take a chance, knowing that an unfavorable outcome is possible.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • There is a high risk of infection. (There is a strong possibility that infection could occur.)
  • He saw the rewards but not the risks of crime. (He recognized the potential benefits but not the potential dangers of criminal activity.)
  • Drinking alcohol is a health risk. (Consuming alcohol is a source of potential harm to one's health.)

• Verb:

  • We risked losing a lot of money in this venture. (We exposed ourselves to the possibility of losing a lot of money in this business endeavor.)
  • Why risk your life? (Why would you put your life in danger?)
  • She risked her job when she told the boss he was wrong. (She took the chance that she might lose her job by criticizing her boss.)

Advanced Usage

• "At risk": in a situation where something bad is likely to happen.

  • The coastal town is at risk of flooding. (The town is in a position where flooding is a strong possibility.)

• "To run a risk" / "To take a risk": to do something that involves a chance of danger or failure.

  • You run a risk of injury if you don't wear a helmet. (You expose yourself to the possibility of injury.)
  • Investors must be willing to take risks. (Investors must be willing to accept the possibility of loss.)

• "Calculated risk": a chance taken after careful estimation of the probable outcome.

  • Launching the product now is a calculated risk. (It is a deliberate chance we are taking after evaluating the potential for success and failure.)

Variants and Related Words

• Risky (adj): full of the possibility of danger, failure, or loss.

  • It was a risky investment. (It was an investment with a high chance of losing money.)

• Riskiness (n): the quality or state of being risky.

  • The riskiness of the plan made everyone nervous. (The dangerous potential of the plan caused anxiety.)

Synonyms

• Noun: Hazard, peril, danger, threat, chance, possibility.
• Verb: Endanger, jeopardize, hazard, chance, venture, gamble.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Risk it: to decide to do something even though it is dangerous or might have a bad result.
  • The weather looks bad, but let's risk it and go for a hike. (Let's take the chance and go hiking despite the poor weather.)

Related Idioms

• At one's own risk: accepting responsibility for any harm or loss that might occur.

  • You can leave your bike here, but you do so at your own risk. (If the bike is stolen or damaged, you are responsible, not me.)

• Risk life and limb: to do something very dangerous.

  • Firefighters risk life and limb to save people. (Firefighters put their lives in great danger.)

Noun

1. the probability of being exposed to an infectious agent
2. the probability of becoming infected given that exposure to an infectious agent has occurred
3. a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury
   • he saw the rewards but not the risks of crime
   • there was a danger he would do the wrong thing
4. a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
   • drinking alcohol is a health hazard

Verb

1. take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
   • When you buy these stocks you are gambling
2. expose to a chance of loss or damage
   • We risked losing a lot of money in this venture
   • Why risk your life?
   • She laid her job on the line when she told the boss that he was wrong