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risk

RISK/ɹɪsk/

Pluralrisks (some meanings)

Verbrisks, risking, risked

11 meanings of risk

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  1. 1
    chance of harmnoununcountable
    The chance that something bad will happen.

    Like the chance of rain: it might happen, it might not.

    There is always some risk when you cross a busy road.

    She thought about the risk before she signed up.

    UsageSay the risk of something: the risk of a crash. You can raise or lower the risk.

    Similarchance, likelihood, probability, possibility

    Oppositesafety

  2. 2
    nouncountable
    Something bad that could happen because of a choice or event.

    Like a trap on a path: a danger you might run into.

    Every job has its own risks, and this one is no different.

    Falling on the ice is a real risk in winter.

    UsageSay the risks of something. Run the risk of losing means you might lose.

    Similardanger, peril, threat

    Note
  3. 3
    nouncountable
    A thing that might cause harm, looked at by how dangerous it is.

    Like a slippery floor: a thing that could cause a fall.

    Smoking is a serious health risk.

    Old wiring in the building is a fire risk.

    UsageOften a health risk or a fire risk, or a risk to other people.

    Similarhazard, danger, menace

    Note
  4. 4
    nouncountable
    Something you decide to do even though it might go badly and cause harm or loss.

    Moving to a new city without a job was a big risk.

    Sometimes you have to take risks to get what you want.

    UsageSay take a risk or take risks. A calculated risk is one you think about first.

    Similargamble, chance, venture

  5. 5
    put at stakeverbtransitive
    To put something valuable in danger by what you do.

    Like holding your phone over a railing: you might drop and lose it.

    Firefighters risk their lives to save others.

    He risked his savings on a single bet.

    UsageSay risk your life, or risk money on something.

    Similarjeopardize, endanger, gamble, stake, imperil

    Oppositeprotect, safeguard

  6. 6
    could causeverbtransitive
    To do something that might lead to a bad result.

    Like running with scissors: you could get hurt.

    If you skip practice, you risk losing your place on the team.

    He risked injury by lifting the heavy box alone.

    UsageThe bad thing comes after it: risk injury, risk getting lost.

    Similarcourt, invite, face

  7. 7
    verbtransitive
    To do something dangerous, knowing it might turn out badly.

    Like taking a shortcut across a frozen lake: it might crack.

    He risked climbing the old ladder to reach the roof.

    Don't risk swimming in that river when the water is high.

    UsageUse the -ing form after it: risk swimming (not incorrect: risk to swim).

    Similarchance, dare

    Note
  8. 8
    chance times lossnoununcountable
    How bad an event could be, found by multiplying its chance of happening by its size.

    Like weighing both how often something happens and how much it would hurt.

    Engineers find the risk by combining how likely a failure is with how bad it would be.

    A small chance of a huge disaster can still mean a high risk.

    Note
  9. 9
    noununcountable
    How big a loss could be if something goes wrong.

    Like betting a little or a lot: losing a dollar hurts less than losing everything.

    I only bet five dollars, so my risk was small.

    Spreading the money across accounts keeps the risk small even if one bank fails.

    Similarexposure

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 10
    creditnouncountable
    A person or thing judged by how likely it is to cause a lender, insurer, or investor to lose money.

    Like a friend you lend to: some you trust to pay back, some you don't.

    With a steady job, she was seen as a low risk by the bank.

    Lenders treat someone with unpaid debts as a high risk.

    UsageUsually a high risk, a low risk or a poor credit risk.

    Note
  2. 11
    covered eventnouncountable
    A kind of bad event that an insurance plan will pay for.

    Like a list of dangers your insurance promises to help with.

    Fire is one risk your home insurance should cover.

    Flood damage may not be included as a covered risk.

    Similarperil

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of risk apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

English took this word from French risque, which came from Old Italian risco and rischiare ("to run into danger"). Where the Italian words came from is uncertain.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts