risk

1 of 2

noun

ˈrisk 

1

: possibility of loss or injury : peril

prefer not to expose my money to risk

There's no lifeguard. Swim at your own risk. [=with the understanding that you are responsible for your own safety]

2

: someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard

a risk to national security

Smoking is a risk to your health.

3

a

: the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract

also : the degree of probability of such loss

b

: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer

a driver who is considered a high risk

c

: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source

war risk

4

: the chance that an investment (such as a stock or commodity) will lose value

All investments involve an element of risk.

riskless

ˈrisk-ləs 

adjective

see also:

at risk at the risk of run a risk run the risk of

risk

2 of 2

verb

risked; risking; risks

transitive verb

1

: to expose to hazard or danger

risked her life

2

: to incur the risk or danger of

risked breaking his neck

risker noun

Synonyms of risk

Noun

• threat
• danger

Verb

• venture
• hazard
• confront
• tempt
• face
• chance

Examples of risk in a Sentence

Noun

I prefer not to expose my money to too much risk.

The degree of risk is minimal.

All investments have an element of risk.

The trip didn't seem like much of a risk.

I'm aware of the risks associated with this treatment.

There is a risk of liver damage with this medication.

Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces the risk of injury or death in a car accident.

We feel that this product presents a significant risk to public health.

To me, skydiving is not worth the risk.

Smoking is a risk to your lungs.

Verb

She risked her life to save her children.

He risked all his money on starting his own business.

He risked breaking his neck.

She's risking being considered too sentimental.

The country risked a war.

brave people who risked being killed to help others

I'm not willing to risk getting lost. I'm going to buy a map.

The company is risking the loss of millions of dollars.

It's not wise to risk traveling so soon after surgery.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In Lebanon, at least 100,000 children risk missing out on school unless classrooms damaged by Israeli strikes are urgently repaired or rebuilt before September, the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF has warned. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

The population of bears statewide is estimated to be about 19,000 and is managed through regulated hunting to reduce the risk of more frequent human-bear conflicts. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Verb

Teams may not want to risk their athletes feeling even a little more sluggish, itchy, constipated, diarrhea-ry or whatever. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

During a day trip to Lampedusa, a gateway for migrants risking dangerous Mediterranean crossings into Europe from Africa, the pope urged European leaders to do more to assist arrivals, which ​have topped 7,000 this year. — Reuters, NBC news, 4 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French risque, from Italian risco

First Known Use

Noun

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing risk

• assigned risk
• at one's own risk
• at risk
• at the risk of
• at the risk of (doing something)
• bad credit risk
• extreme risk law
• extreme risk protection order
• good credit risk
• high-risk
• low-risk
• risk capital
• risk factor
• risk it
• risk life and limb
• risk one's life
• risk one's neck
• risk-taker
• risk-taking
• run a risk
• run the risk of
• security risk
• systemic risk
• take a risk

Rhymes for risk

• bisque
• brisk
• disc
• disk
• fisc
• fisk
• frisk
• whisk
• basilisk
• obelisk
• videodisc

Kids Definition

risk

1 of 2 noun

ˈrisk 

1

: possibility of loss or injury

2

: someone or something that presents a risk

a bad risk

a good credit risk

risk

2 of 2 verb

1

: to expose to danger

risked her life

2

: to take the risk or danger of

risked breaking his neck

Medical Definition

risk

noun

ˈrisk 

1

: possibility of loss, injury, disease, or death

hypertension increases the risk of stroke

2

: a person considered in terms of the possible bad effects of a particular course of treatment

a poor surgical risk

Legal Definition

risk

noun

1

a

: possibility of loss or injury

b

: liability for loss or injury if it occurs

the risk of loss passes to the buyer when the goods are duly delivered to the carrier

—Uniform Commercial Code

the risk of personal injury and property damage should be placed with the manufacturer rather than the consumer

—Case & Comment

2

a

: the chance of loss to the subject matter of an insurance contract : uncertainty with regard to loss

also : the degree of probability of such loss compare peril

b

: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer

a poor risk for insurance

c

: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source

a war risk

riskless adjective