Main Entry: dan·ger·ous

Pronunciation: \ˈdān-jə-rəs; ˈdān-jərs, -zhrəs\

Function: adjective

Date: 15th century

1 : exposing to or involving danger <a dangerous job>
2 : able or likely to inflict injury or harm <a dangerous man>

— dan·ger·ous·ly adverb

— dan·ger·ous·ness noun

synonyms dangerous, hazardous, precarious, perilous, risky mean bringing or involving the chance of loss or injury. dangerous applies to something that may cause harm or loss unless dealt with carefully <soldiers on a dangerous mission>. hazardous implies great and continuous risk of harm or failure <claims that smoking is hazardous to your health>. precarious suggests both insecurity and uncertainty <earned a precarious living by gambling>. perilous strongly implies the immediacy of danger <perilous mountain roads>. risky often applies to a known and accepted danger <shied away from risky investments>.