adventurous

ad·ven·tur·ous

adjective \əd-ˈven-ch(ə-)rəs\

Definition of ADVENTUROUS

1

a : disposed to seek adventure or to cope with the new and unknown <an adventurous explorer>

b : innovative <an adventurous artistic style>

2

: characterized by unknown dangers and risks <an adventurous journey>

— ad·ven·tur·ous·ly adverb

— ad·ven·tur·ous·ness noun

Examples of ADVENTUROUS

1. The island attracts adventurous travelers.
2. He is an adventurous cook who is always trying new recipes.
3. Her design is an adventurous departure from what we usually see.
4. They have an adventurous lifestyle.

First Known Use of ADVENTUROUS

14th century

Related to ADVENTUROUS

Synonyms

adventuresome, bold, audacious, daring, dashing, emboldened, enterprising, free-swinging, gutsy, hardy, nerved, nervy, venturesome, venturous

Antonyms

unadventurous, unenterprising

Related Words

brash, daredevil, foolhardy, heedless, hotheaded, impetuous, imprudent, impulsive, incautious, madcap, overbold, overconfident, rash, reckless, thoughtless, wild; brave, courageous, dauntless, fearless, gallant, greathearted, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, swashbuckling, unafraid, undaunted, valiant, valorous; gritty, plucky, spirited, spunky; gadarene, hasty, headlong, precipitate; absurd, asinine, balmy, brainless, crazy, foolish, half-witted, harebrained, insane, lunatic, mad, nutty, scatterbrained, silly, wacky (also whacky), witless; unnecessary; dumb, idiotic (also idiotical), moronic, stupid; irrational, unreasonable

Near Antonyms

chickenhearted, coward, cowardly, craven, lily-livered, milk-livered, milky, poltroon, pusillanimous, shy, timid, timorous; careful, cautious, heedful, prudent, wary; overcareful, overcautious; affrighted, afraid, alarmed, fainthearted, fearful, frightened, horrified, scared, shocked, spooked, startled, terrified, terrorized; unnerved; calm, cool, levelheaded, rational, reasonable, sage, sane, sensible, sound, wise; appalled, concerned, dismayed, upset, worried

Synonym Discussion of ADVENTUROUS

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense. adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence <adventurous pioneers>. venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings <venturesome stunt pilots>. daring heightens the implication of fearlessness in courting danger <daring mountain climbers>. daredevil stresses ostentation in daring <daredevil motorcyclists>. rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought <a rash decision>. reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences <a reckless driver>. foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense <only a foolhardy sailor would venture into this storm>.